Barrister who lost bid for £250k car crash payout after being seen on four-hour waterfall walk while claiming to be disabled is struck off

A barrister has been struck off after her £250,000 car crash insurance claim was found to be fake - as social media pictures showed she had embarked on arduous 10k waterfall hike despite saying she could barely walk 100 yards.

Claire Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, also attended a music concert by singer Pink, went on trips to Switzerland and Scotland, attended Six Nation Rugby Games, and volunteered to help at Leeds Music Festival.

The lawyer asserted she suffered soft tissue injuries, migraines, and psychological problems some three years after a van crashed into the rear of her stationary car in 2016.

Ms Thomas tried to claim for the enormous six figure sum and said that even on a 'good day' she couldn't walk further than 90 metres or stand for more than 15 minutes, it was heard.

But, insurance company LV=, whose policyholder's van had struck her vehicle, grew 'suspicious' of her symptoms and asked a law firm to investigate.

They found the barrister had been 'fundamentally dishonest' in her account after social media pictures showed her take part in various 'strenuous' activities, including a hike up South Wales' Brecon Beacons.

Now, a disciplinary tribunal has disbarred the lawyer for her 'dishonest' behaviour after they found she 'presented inaccurate accounts of her symptoms' which she 'knew to be false'.

On July 22, 2016, Ms Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil, was driving her Vauxhall Astra along an a-road towards Aberdare when a van driver collided with the back of her stationary vehicle.

Some three years later, in July 2019, Ms Thomas issued proceedings, claiming that as a result of the incident she had sustained soft tissue damage to her neck, head, shoulders, and back as well as a concussion injury, it was reported.

She said she suffered 'psychological consequences' as a result of the accident - including flashbacks, travel anxiety and low mood.

Ms Thomas insisted her 'mobility was severely restricted' and that 'even on a good day she could walk a maximum of 100 yards before stopping'.

She said that her standing was limited to 10-15 minutes, and that she always required a handrail on steps.

The lawyer sought significant damages for past and future loss of earnings, past and future care, and assistance.

A court hearing found that her case was 'unusual' as despite extensive investigations by experts - no person was able to identify any 'organic cause' for the ongoing pain, apart from for an initial few months post-accident.

For this reason, the lawyer was investigated by the firm Clyde & Co.

They found her claims 'contrasted' with her social media posts - including pictures which showed her 'standing behind a waterfall'.

The firm said she had walked the Four Falls Trial in the Brecon Beacons mountain range, which is a 10km walk which had taken her four hours to complete.

In addition, she took an 'optional strenuous detour down' to Sgwd yr Eira waterfalls, which has 170 steps and a rough, slippery path behind the waterfall.

There was also 'surveillance evidence' which showed Ms Thomas walking 'beyond her claimed capacity', attending gym classes, and using flights of steps without the handrail, including steps 'covered in snow and ice'.

Clive & Co added that social media showed that she had attended weddings, various family events and a music concert at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

There were trips to Copenhagen, Switzerland, Scotland, Venice and Rome - to watch the Six Nations Rugby - and Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire and she volunteered at Leeds Festival, the firm said.

Ms Thomas - who was called to the bar in 2008 - offered 'no credible explanation' for her 'inconsistencies' and tried to argue that she had 'good days' and 'bad days'.

The case was heard at Cardiff County Court last year, and Ms Thomas' claim was dismissed by Judge Robert Harrison, who said she had 'not presented a truthful account of her symptoms'.

He said she had been 'fundamentally dishonest' and ordered her to pay £9,918.75 in costs.

Now, after a hearing from the The Bar Tribunals And Adjudication Service, the lawyer has been struck off.

The panel said: 'Claire Thomas, an unregistered barrister, behaved in a way likely to diminish the trust and confidence that the public places in her and/or the profession, and/or behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine her honesty and integrity.'

They said this arose when she 'presented inaccurate accounts of her symptoms' which she 'knew to be false'.