Accidents While On Holiday

A holiday is supposed to be a relaxing, enjoyable experience, but sometimes it can be overshadowed by an accident or injury that occurred while you were abroad. Whether you were supposed to be sightseeing, skiing, swimming, walking or exploring, such activities might have to be postponed indefinitely, and depending on the type of injury or illness you sustained, you may need to come home early.

Not only could getting injured or sick ruin a well-earned break, it could also result in financial loss. You might have spent money on accommodation, entertainment, food and drink and excursions that you’re no longer able to enjoy due to personal injury or illness. You may have even forked out for expensive medical treatment while abroad, or are unable to work as a result of the accident or illness. These things count as financial loss too.

If you’ve been injured or become sick through no fault of your own while on holiday, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. Below, you can find more information regarding claims for accidents and illnesses abroad.

What Kinds Of Accidents Or Illnesses Abroad Can I Claim For?

Holiday accidents and illnesses can take many forms. Here are some of the most common types:

• Slips, trips and falls – these can happen as a result of badly maintained accommodation flooring, slippery staircases or defective footpaths, for example.
• Road traffic accidents – you may be able to make a claim if you’re involved in a car accident abroad that’s caused by a faulty vehicle, the driver of another vehicle, the driver of a taxi, coach or bus you’re travelling in or a poorly maintained road signal. You may even have a right to compensation if you were partially at fault.
• Cycling accidents – you may experience an accident because the equipment you hired was faulty or you may be involved in a collision with another road user. Whatever the reason, if you are not at fault, you may have a right to compensation.
• Activity or excursion injuries – whether you’ve been boating, quad biking or taking an organised sightseeing tour, you may have a claim if you sustain an injury through no fault of your own while taking part in an organised activity or excursion.
• Swimming pool accidents – injuries and illnesses can be caused by malfunctioning drainage systems, faulty water filtration systems, broken or loose tiles, poor pool depth signage and excessive chemicals in the water.
• Skiing injuries – you may have a skiing accident if you haven’t received sufficient or proper training from a trained instructor, the equipment you hired was faulty or the provided machinery, such as ski lifts, wasn’t operated properly or was damaged.
• Food poisoning – this can occur at hotels and restaurants when food is undercooked or hygiene standards are not adhered to. It can also happen as a result of food being left out in a buffet for too long in warm weather.
• Cruise ship illnesses – unfortunately, cruise ships are often associated with food poisoning and viral outbreaks. You may be able to make a claim if you’ve suffered illnesses such as salmonella, norovirus, e-coli and campylobacter, among others.
• Assault – whether you’re at home or abroad, you have a right to personal safety. If you have been the victim of an attack such as a mugging, stabbing or shooting, or if you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you may be entitled to compensation.

A personal injury claim against one of these illnesses or accidents could take an average of 12 months, from first making a claim to completion.

How Can I Start The Claim Process For An Accident Or Illness On Holiday?

Unsure on where to start your claim? First, fill out our claim form to request a callback. We’ll be in touch with our top-rated injury lawyers that may be able to help you with your case. Once you’ve made your choice, the claim process can begin.

You may be asked to provide details about the incident or illness you experienced, with an accurate timeline of dates. Be sure you have this information in advance so it’s ready when you need it. Where possible, gather proof that may help your case, including written correspondence, receipts or a doctor’s note that confirms the injuries that occurred.

Fees And Compensation

If your chosen solicitor offers a ‘no win, no fee’ policy, you don’t need to pay any fees if your claim is unsuccessful. You only pay for their services if you win a compensation settlement. This is also sometimes known as a success fee, and is a set amount that’s deducted from your total compensation amount if your claim is successful. The success fee cannot be more than 25% of your payout.

The compensation amount for holiday accident claims varies depending on the type of accident or illness involved, the severity of the accident or illness and how much financial loss you’ve suffered as a result. Other factors, such as the mental and emotional repercussions, will also be taken into account.

How Soon Do I Need To Make A Claim For An Accident On Holiday?

You should make a claim for any accident or illness you’ve suffered abroad as soon as you’re able to. In most cases, adults have around three years from the date of the incident to start their claim, but this can vary. We recommend that you seek professional advice at the earliest opportunity.

You should also ensure you see a doctor and gather as much evidence and information as possible after the accident takes place in order to strengthen your case.