[1]Timlin: Ordered to pay insurer’s costs
A reality TV star has been found fundamentally dishonest in bringing a personal injury claim that was undermined by what he put up on social media from Ibiza in the wake of his accident.
Scott Timlin, better known as ‘Scotty T’, was in reality TV show Geordie Shore for seven years to 2019 and won Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.
According to insurance law firm HF, in June 2020, Mr Timlin was involved in an accident in Gateshead involving a customer of its client, esure. The customer admitted liability for the accident.
Mr Timlin brought his claim 14 months after the accident. A medical report claimed he had suffered soft tissue injuries to his neck, shoulders, lower back and right hand. He told his medical expert that the injuries were ongoing and severe 15 months later.
However, his Instagram account showed him on holiday in Ibiza a week after the accident, where he stayed for three months, partying, swimming and “carrying out gymnastic poses”, HF said.
“The posts and the fact that he never sought medical attention despite alleging severe pain made his claims seem inconceivable.”
In November 2022, he claimed in court that the social media posts were old photographs that his agent would re-use to keep his profile active.
HF reported that District Judge Thomas instead found his case flawed. With his medical evidence claiming ongoing injuries 15 months after the accident, it was a “mystery” as to what treatment he had, any problems in his life caused by his injuries and what the recovery period was.
Under cross-examination, Mr Timlin confirmed that he did not in fact sustain any lower back pain and his body and hand did not hit the interior of his car, discrediting his claim even further.
He was found fundamentally dishonest and ordered to pay esure’s costs of £4,282.
Jared Mallinson, partner and head of counter fraud at HF, said: “This case is a fantastic example of our intelligence and fraud teams collaborating to help combat fraudulent claims for our clients. Social media played a huge part in Mr Timlin being found fundamentally dishonest and our holistic approach demonstrates the results that insurers can achieve.”
According to newspaper reports, Mr Timlin was made bankrupt in 2019.