Bogus holiday sickness claims fall

The number of British holidaymakers pursuing fake illness claims against overseas hotels has fallen following a string of convictions for fraud.

Ministry of Justice figures suggest there was a 19 per cent reduction in the number of personal injury claims – including ones for holiday illnesses – being brought before civil courts last year.

It follows a number of high-profile convictions for fraudulent sickness claims, including that of Martin and Lindsey Brown, of Chorley, Lancashire, who last year tried to win £20,000 from Jet2holidays after claiming their holiday to Turkey was ruined by gastric illness.

Their claim was found to be false and the couple were convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud. They were ordered to pay Jet2holidays £30,000 in compensation.

Such cases are believed to have deterred other would-be fraudsters from pursuing false claims. Also helping are laws introduced last year that limit the amount claims management companies can charge in legal fees for sickness cases.

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