Ex-Network Rail worker drops £300,000 compensation claim for thumb injuries after he’s filmed playing GUITAR in Guns n’ Roses tribute act
Anthony James Dermody could now face jail after allegedly telling doctors he was 'very seriously disabled'
AN ex-rail worker has dropped a compensation claim for an injury to his hand after he was filmed playing the guitar in a “very energetic heavy metal band”.
Anthony James Dermody, 28, was suing his former employer Network Rail after his thumb was crushed in an accident at work in 2011.
The company admitted fault – but Dermody tried to claim for a staggering £300,000, saying his injuries were life-changing.
The High Court heard he had told a doctor he was “very seriously disabled” and “could not do any of the activities he enjoyed before the accident”.
But the court was told that in the time since the incident, Dermody, of Altrincham, near Manchester, had been playing bass in a Guns n’ Roses cover band.
Videos of him enthusiastically strumming away were handed to Network Rail bosses by investigators.
The bassist has since dropped his claim after realising he was being probed, lawyers said.
But Dermody could now face prison if he is found to have exaggerated his injuries.
And his mum – described as “one of his biggest fans” – could also be in hot water after backing up his comp claims with a sworn statement.
William Featherby QC, for Network Rail, said: “This is a claimant who said he suffered a very serious injury to his right thumb – which incidentally is his guitar playing thumb.
“For many years afterwards, and still, he plays bass guitar in a very energetic heavy metal band, known as Guns or Roses, who are of course a covers band of Guns n' Roses.”
He said the fact Dermody had been touring with the band was evidence that his claims of disability were false.
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The former rail worker was not present at the hearing, but the court heard he claims to have “developed a new technique for paying the guitar which places no strain on his thumb”.
Mr Justice Edis said: “There is a strong case that Mr Dermody did consciously exaggerate his claim in order to increase the damages that he hoped to receive.
“The evidence before the court is capable of showing that he was functioning relatively normally as the bass guitarist in a heavy metal rock group which travelled substantial distances in order to put on its performances.
“That is inconsistent with his presentation of his case.”
Both Dermody and his mum now face a full hearing as Network Rail seek to have them banged up.
No date has yet been set but they could face up to two years behind bars if found guilty.
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