I read another shocking report in the newspaper yesterday about what could only be described as a “shakedown” personal injury case.
The lady in question, the claimant, Ewa Ledzinska brought a personal injuries claim against her former employer, Lidl.
But when the High Court was shown video footage, obtained by a private investigator, of the claimant engaged in a vigorous gym workout she withdrew her claim and agreed to make a contribution to Lidl’s legal expenses.
She was videoed running on the spot, swinging a kettlebell, lifting weights and doing burpees in a half hour session.
Her alleged injury was a severe back injury which she claimed arose in her workplace and was occasioned by her working conditions.
If this was true Lidl may be held liable in negligence. And we are not talking about chump change in her personal injury claim as she claimed special damages of €300,000.
That figure is only special damages, mind. She would also have been claiming general damages for the injury itself.
And to add insult to injury she is on invalidity pension having “conned the Department of Social Protection”, according to counsel for Lidl.
Anyway, the Judge suggested they take a break and advised Ledzinska to listen to her legal advisors.
The game was up. They trooped back in and the judge was told she was withdrawing her case.
Learn more about personal injuries claims in Ireland here.