A judge has thrown out a £5 million compensation claim from an engineer who exaggerated his injuries after a motorbike crash, branding him an 'unembarrassed liar' and a 'malingerer'. Grant Greening-Steer, 51, sued for damages after a serious accident on his Yamaha motorbike in June 2019, when a car pulled out in front of him near his home in New Milton, Hampshire. He fractured his spine and suffered a 'moderate to severe traumatic brain injury'.
The Claim
Greening-Steer claimed he needed a mobility scooter, struggled with buttons and laces, and required help walking his dog. His £5 million claim included £1.8 million for lifetime care, £116,176 for holidays, and £160,655 for a dog walker. However, surveillance footage showed him walking normally, driving an Aston Martin, and performing everyday tasks without difficulty.
Court Proceedings
At the High Court, Mr Justice Ritchie dismissed the claim, stating Greening-Steer was a 'regular, detailed, unembarrassed liar' who exaggerated his symptoms to gain higher damages. The judge noted that the claimant had made an 'obvious effort' to appear disabled in court, but surveillance videos contradicted his claims. Neurosurgeons concluded he was malingering to enhance his claim.
The Judgment
The judge found that Greening-Steer had recovered well by mid-2021 and was capable of work, driving, and daily activities. He valued the genuine claim at £378,420 but awarded nothing due to fundamental dishonesty. The judge said: 'His dishonesty was fundamental to the claim... It hugely inflated the damages under each head of loss.'
Aftermath
Greening-Steer's conduct deprived him of a substantial sum he would otherwise have received. The case highlights the consequences of exaggerating injuries in personal injury claims.
