A 36-year-old Co Dublin taxi driver has made eight personal injury claims in as many years and failed to disclose most of them to insurers, the Circuit Civil Court was told Friday.
Chengduo Zhu, of The Paddocks Way, Lucan, had revealed to AXA that he had made three claims, two of which had been settled for figures of €30,000 in 2009 and €20,000 in 2013. Others had either been settled or were still ongoing, barrister Conor Kearney said.
Mr Kearney, who appeared with Delahunty O’Connor Solicitors for AXA, told Judge Terence O’Sullivan that while Zhu was withdrawing the €60,000 claim before the court he had been specifically directed to outline AXA’s proposed defence to Zhu’s latest claim.
“I have in court representatives from other insurance companies, Zurich, AIG, Liberty and RSA who were going to give evidence in relation to his undisclosed claims,” Mr Kearney said.
“The plaintiff has had in the last eight years eight claims for personal injury, some ongoing, and has disclosed only three,” he told the court.
When Zhu’s claim was called Friday his counsel told the court the case was being withdrawn and it was understood that costs would follow. He said the nature and details of the defendant’s defence had not previously been disclosed to his client.
Judge O’Sullivan said it was a serious matter for the court and Mr Zhu would have to bear the costs. He dismissed Zhu’s claim and said the court had no doubt whatsoever that both counsel for Zhu and the instructing solicitor had followed correct professional practice in the case.
Tallaght Solicitors are specialists in Personal Injury Claims, so if you have been affected by such a situation, please visit our Personal Injury Claims page.
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