“BROKEN RIBS EPIDEMIC”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19099, 21 August 1936, Page 3

“BROKEN RIBS EPIDEMIC”

CLAIMS FOR INSURANCE FRAUD ALLFGATIOX LONDON, duly 1. Statements about a. ‘'portcot epidemic of broken ribs" were made at Leeds Yesterday. when a special court heard summonses against 17 men and women. I hey were accused of conspiracy to defraud insurance companies. Newspaper insurance schemes were concerned, ami the proceedings were brought at the instance of companies covering several newspapers. Mr. Donald Kaberry, prosecuting, said that insurance assessors, in Loudon suspected that a number of people, particularly in the York road and Holbeck districts of Leeds, appeared to be suffering from a series ot accidents in which they were receiving broken ribs. ■‘There laid apparently been a perfect epidemic in these areas,’ said Mr. kaberrv. "In every case the accident was alleged to have' been caused by being knocked down by a. bicycle, and in every ease the. injury was put down as fractured ribs. “The defendants; had put in 86 fraudulent claims 1 on newspapers, and payment had Horn made in everv ease, to a total of £430. “As a matter of fact, not, one oi the defendants had ever sustained a broken vib bv being knocked down by a bicycle." ' ‘‘SELF-INFLICTED BRUISES’" Mr. Kaberrv described the method alleged to have been used, and said that in some eases a ialse name was written on the claim form. In other eases the name and address of a real person was given. Then the defendant who had given this name would tell (In', person enileerned that he had used his name because lie was expecting a letter containing racing information. and ask that it should be handed to him unopened. “The great obstacle." remarked Mr. Kaberrv. "was when it became necessary to have a medical certificate, but this was got over in a very ingenious manner. “One of ihe defendants would attend the out -pal ienls' department at,the infirmarv. having previously bruised bis ribs iii some way. 11-' would complain of having been knocked down by a bicycle, and when examined by a doctor would wince as if in pani. “As a rule the ribs were strapped up. and ail out •patient’s card was given. “The defendant would take the card lo his panel doctor. In every case, except one, the- doctor had been deceived into giving a certificate.'

A number of the accused persons wore committed for trial, and heating of the remaining -1 tat was adjourned