Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH7:Layout 1 27/10/2009 13:58 Page 46
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Security
Recession – a catalyst for
dishonesty?
by John Condon, Collingwood deCaunteton Ltd
W
hen times are tight there is no limit to the within the shadows of the ‘black economy’. This results
ingenuity of the individual in making ends meet. in financial loss to the already stretched employer and
Most deal with it by totally legitimate means – places an additional strain on the workforce, perhaps
tightening the belt and adjusting their personal even requiring the acquisition of temporary staff with
spending until things start to improve - sadly, others do the attendant additional costs and administration.
not. Such abuse can often be quickly detected via effective
The ‘Compensation Culture’ has long been a factor in surveillance, with the resulting evidence being used to
our lives, fed to a large extent by the many and varied support disciplinary action with confidence – right up to
television advertisements urging us to claim for tribunal level.
everything and anything on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis. As a Theft and fraud by employees, at whatever level,
result, compensation claims arising from personal results in financial loss and destroys trust, but mere
injuries in the public and private sectors are increasing. suspicion of such activity is insufficient to justify
Such cases arise from accidents in the workplace, road immediate police investigation, or the employer may
traffic accidents and trips and falls in public places. not wish official involvement.
The great majority of such incidents are genuine, but In such cases Collingwood DeCaunteton Ltd have
The ‘Compensation Culture’ has long been a factor in our lives, fed to a
large extent by the many and varied television advertisements urging us
to claim for everything and anything on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis. As a
result, compensation claims arising from personal injuries in the public
and private sectors are increasing.
exploitation of the claims potential, by exaggeration of frequently been successful in gathering the necessary
the level of injury and resulting disability, is prevalent. evidence to justify police action or, where such
Very often such exploitation cannot be definitively involvement is not desired, to support the dismissal of
detected by medical evidence – there is no orthopaedic the culprit/s without fear of future litigation.
surgeon anywhere who will state categorically that a
claimant is not suffering a high level of back pain, with
This can involve a multi-pronged approach – often
all its attendant restrictions of mobility and amenity!
the use of an undercover employee in the workforce
and surveillance of the suspected individual.
Alleged psychiatric overlay resulting from personal
injury is also an area open to abuse. Generally speaking
“Accidents happen and it is right that suffering, loss of
(but thankfully not always) a psychiatrist – especially
income and amenity should be compensated
those instructed by the plaintiff’s legal team - will
proportionally,” commented John Condon, the founder
accept the claimant’s version of his/her problems at face
and managing director of Collingwood deCaunteton
value and relate them to the incident.
Ltd. “But there are those individuals who actively seek to
maximise the claim potential by lies and exaggeration –
However, many claims can be mitigated by the use of those are the people we are after.”
effective, ‘intelligence-led’ investigation – including the
judicious use of covert, but non-invasive, surveillance -
it’s surprising how many claimants suddenly don’t need
Collingwood deCaunteton Ltd is regarded as one of
the use of their crutches when a game of golf beckons
the premier investigative suppliers in Northern Ireland,
at the weekend or a bit of lucrative, but non-admitted,
providing specialist advice and services to a wide and
work provides a welcome boost to the finances.
diverse clientele, including: several Government
Even alleged psychiatric symptoms resulting from a
Agencies, major insurers, leading litigation solicitors,
personal injury can be checked; for example the lorry
corporate bodies, private business – and individuals.
driver injured in a road traffic accident, who claimed to
The founder and managing director, Mr John Condon,
have developed a driving phobia as a result, who was
has over thirty-five years experience in the investigation
observed driving from a quarry.
of commercial and industrial fraud, has been operating
Name any work or active sport-related activity you like
in the private sector since 1979, and is the longest
and the chances are we have videoed it – being carried
continually-serving provider of such services in Northern
out enthusiastically by a claimant claiming high-level
Ireland. Based in the Larne area the company covers
disability and presenting for his claim medicals on two
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
crutches.
Increasingly we are asked to investigate absentee
For more information on the services of Collingwood
employees who are claiming sickness while actually
deCaunteton Ltd, 2827 1550, mobile 07802-785405 or
engaged in secondary employment elsewhere, normally
www.collingwood-de-c.co.uk
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