Crackdown on personal injury claims fraud

PEOPLE who make exaggerated claims in personal injury cases face fines of up to €100,000 or a possible 10-year jail sentence, under laws brought into force yesterday.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell signed the provision into law along with other parts of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.

The act obliges people making personal injury claims to make a sworn affidavit of their claim. If the person is found to have made a false or misleading statement in an affidavit, he or she will be guilty of an offence, leading to a fine of up to €100,000 or a prison sentence of up to 10 years.