Moe man ordered to repay TAC

23 Sep 2013

A Moe man has been ordered to pay $3,500 to the Transport Accident Commission, for submitting a claim for an accident that never happened.

Barry McMahon pleaded not guilty in the La Trobe Valley Magistrates’ Court today. Magistrate Fiona Hayes ordered Mr McMahon to pay restitution of $3,500 to the TAC, but was not fined.

The 64-year-old claimed he was injured in a motor vehicle accident in January 2011.  Fortunately, the TAC investigated the claim in its early stages and denied it based on a lack of independent proof of the accident. As a result, the accused never actually received any statutory benefits from the TAC.

Mr McMahon submitted a TAC claim form in March 2011, alleging that he sustained injuries to his neck, back and right shoulder was involved in a transport accident in Moe.

Mr McMahon received four months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years.

TAC premiums contributed by Victorian motorists are used to pay for treatment and support services for people injured in transport accidents.

The TAC has a responsibility to the community to ensure the financial viability of the its scheme so that it can continue to look after injured Victorians.