Personal Injury Compensation Claims For An Accident On Holiday

By Max Murdoch. Last Updated 10th June 2022. Welcome to this guide to holiday accident compensation claims. Throughout this guide, we are going to take a look at holiday accident claims in length. By reading this guide to the very end, you will gain a greater understanding of relevant legislation, how the claims process works, and how a personal injury lawyer could offer to help if you’ve been injured in an accident on holiday. We also explain who could claim compensation for being ill on holiday, and answer questions such as ‘What to do if you have an accident on holiday?’ and ‘Can you claim for an accident abroad?’

Holiday accident compensation claims explained

A beach holiday with a castle in the background

For most people, we save all year so that we can enjoy a holiday abroad. We spend months and months feeling excited about our pending trip. So, when an accident happens, it can be devastating on many different levels. If you have suffered an accident on holiday and it was not your fault, it is so important that you get the compensation you deserve. At Accident Claims UK, we have lots of years of experience in overseas accident compensation claims. You can call us today on 0800 073 8801 for more information. But before you do so, please read on to discover everything you need to know about claiming for an accident abroad.

Select A Section

A Guide To Claiming Compensation For An Accident On Holiday

Welcome to our holiday accident claims guide.

There are so many different types of accidents and injuries that can occur overseas. From injuring yourself while skiing in France to getting food poisoning while backpacking across Asia, there is no end to the different scenarios that could happen. However, no matter what occurred or where it took place, if the incident was not your fault, there is a very high chance you will be entitled to compensation.

In this guide, we will reveal everything you need to know about making such a claim. This includes information regarding accident abroad jurisdiction matters, as well as details on the steps you should take when launching such a claim, common accidents that happen during holidays, and the amount of compensation you could receive if you claim. We will also provide information on some of the specific types of accidents and injuries, such as road traffic accidents abroad.

Statistics For Holiday Accidents And Injuries

Here are some relevant statistics related to holiday accident claims.

It is estimated that around 4.4 million people have sustained injuries within the past three years while enjoying a holiday overseas. This is according to Post Office Travel Insurance. If the pain and suffering itself were not enough, many of these people then went on to endure huge medical costs because of a lack of travel insurance. It has been estimated that at least £1 billion has been spent on access to treatment and medication and damage to equipment, loss of equipment, and other expenses.

Have you Had An Injury Abroad, What To Do After?

In this section of our holiday accident claims guide, we’ll address the question of “I’ve sustained an injury abroad, what to do next?”.

If you have suffered an injury in another country following an accident on holiday, it is important to take the necessary steps to gather as much evidence as possible. Of course, seeking medical attention and getting in touch with your insurer always comes first. Once you have done this, you then need to take photographs of the scene and your injuries, if applicable, as well as making a note of what occurred so that you do not forget any valuable details. Furthermore, please report the incident to your travel company and get the contact details of anyone that witnessed what happened.

Can I Claim Compensation For A Package Holiday Accident?

If you’re wondering whether there are any laws in place that could give you grounds to make holiday accident claims, this section could help.

The Package Travel, Package Holidays, and Package Tour Regulations were established in 1992. Your holiday will fall under these regulations if the following three factors apply:

  • Overnight accommodation for more than 24 hours was included.
  • You paid one company under one invoice for your holiday.
  • At least two of the following were combined: transport, accommodation, and another tourist service, for example, an excursion or activity. These must have been booked together prior to your holiday.

So, if these regulations apply to you, this means that the travel company you booked your package holiday through will be responsible for the injury or illness you have obtained. There are lots of common package tour operators in the UK, from Tui to Virgin.

How To Start An Overseas Accident Compensation Claim

A lot of people assume that making holiday accident claims for accident abroad compensation is difficult but it does not need to be this way – not when you work with Accident Claims UK.

We can help you to get the compensation you deserve in the most efficient manner possible. Making a claim with us is easy. Simply give us a call and you will be connected with a polite and professional advisor from our team. We will always begin the process with a consultation, which gives you the chance to ask questions and ask questions. This is nothing for you to get stressed about – it is simply so we can understand what has happened to you and advise you in the best way. We can also arrange a local medical for you here in the UK if need be. It is worth noting that there is a personal injury claims time limit, which is three years from the accident date. However, the longer you leave things, the more complicated they get, so it is better to claim as soon as you can.

Claiming Compensation For Slip, Trip, And Fall Injuries Abroad

Slip, trips and falls are undoubtedly the most common types of accidents in the UK and overseas, resulting in many holiday accident claims.

If you have experienced one of these holiday accidents abroad, you will need to show negligence or carelessness. For example, you may have slipped in a hotel overseas because they laid new flooring, and it was too slippery and dangerous.

Can I Claim For An Accident Abroad Which Lead To Fatal Injuries

If someone you love has lost their life because of an accident that happened overseas, you can claim if you are a dependent or family member of the deceased. For example, you may be the person’s partner or child, or you may have relied on the individual for monetary assistance. When making such a claim, you can claim for the following:

  • General damages
  • Punitive damages
  • Medical expenses
  • Funeral expenses
  • Bereavement award

Can I Claim For A Road Traffic Accident On Holiday?

Are you wondering whether you could make holiday accident claims?

We have helped lots of people to claim car accident abroad compensation. If you have been injured in a road traffic accident, launching a claim is much easier nowadays since the 4thEU Motor Directive 2003, which means all European vehicles are registered on a central database. This makes it a lot easier for the perpetrator to be found. If the individual cannot be traced, you may still be eligible for compensation via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

What Can You Include In A Holiday Accidents Abroad Claim

When it comes to holiday accident claims, there are several different things you can secure compensation for. The most obvious being general damages for your pain and suffering. Please note that this also refers to your psychological suffering as well as any physical pain and injuries. In addition to this, accident abroad compensation claims also include damages for out of pocket expenses. So, if you have missed work and loss of earnings due to your injuries and needing to recover, you can claim for this. You can also make holiday claims for loss of enjoyment and travel expenses, childcare costs, and the like.

If you’ve had an accident on holiday and would like to discuss claiming, please get in touch today.

What Are The Most Common Accidents And Injuries On Holiday?

There are so many different types of accidents that happen abroad and result in holiday accident claims being made. Some examples include:

  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Road traffic accidents
  • Car accidents
  • Wet floors or misplaced objects that have caused slips, trips or falls
  • Injuries that have been suffered while using foreign transport
  • Excursion injuries on holiday
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Food poisoning
  • Illnesses caused because of poor hygiene at the accommodation.
  • Injuries that have been sustained due to substandard rental care or defective rental care
  • Sporting injuries, for example, those suffered while partaking in skiing or water sports.

Please note that if you have suffered an accident on a package holiday or any other type of holiday and it has not been stated above, you are still within your right to claim if the accident was not your fault. Proving someone else’s negligence and liability is always the defining factor when making a claim. It does not matter how rare or common the type of accident was.

Compensation Claims Calculator For An Accident On Holiday

When people call us about making holiday accident claims, one of the main things they want to know is how much compensation they will get, and rightly so. However, it is really important to be aware of the fact that there is no set list of payouts when it comes to claiming.

All cases are handled on an individual basis. This means your case will be independently assessed, and you will be awarded a fair amount for it. This is fair because there are so many different factors that are taken into account, including how severe the original injury was, on-going symptoms, the impact the injury has had on other aspects of your life, and much more.

Therefore, when it comes to payout amounts, we can only ever give you a rough estimate. Even if you use an accident abroad compensation calculator, or a more specific tool, like a sick holiday claim calculator, the figure you are provided with is a loose estimate. Please do not pin your hopes on this. However, do use the table below to get an understanding regarding the typical payout amounts.

These figures have been taken from the latest Judicial College guidelines.

Edit
The injury you have been victim of: The typical compensation amount: Extra comments to note:
Neck Injuries – Severe Up to the region of £148,330 Long-term injuries, which will have a permanent affect on a person life, either through reduced movement or constant pain.
Neck Injuries – Moderate (i) £24,990 to £38,490 Painful injuries that will take some time to heal, the duration will generally drive the amount.
Neck Injuries – Minor (iii) Up to £2,450 Cuts, abrasions and minor sprains, which will heal quickly.
Ankle Injuries – Very Severe £50,060 to £69,700 Such as multiple fractures that will result in a permanent loss of some functionality of the ankle.
Ankle Injuries – Modest Up to £13,740 Such as soft tissue damage, minor sprains, and other quick healing damage.
Wrist Injuries – (a) £47,620 to £59,860 Such as those which result in the permanent loss of mobility of the wrist.
Wrist Injuries – (b) £24,500 to £39,170 Such as compound fractures that will heal in the long-term leaving the wrist immobile until healed.
Wrist Injuries – (c) £12,590 to £24,500 Such as simple fractures and sprains which will heal in the short-term but leave the wrist immobile whilst healing.
Wrist Injuries – (f) £3,530 to £4,740 Such as soft tissue damage, dislocations and other injuries that will heal rapidly.

Getting Insight Into Payouts For Holiday Accident Compensation Claims

Hopefully, this table will have given you a better understanding regarding the sort of compensation you are looking at. Please remember that these are averages. If you use a personal injury claims calculator, you will only ever get rough estimates too. If you are concerned because the injury you have obtained is not in the table above, don’t be. You can still claim. The table above merely highlights some common examples. For further information about payout amounts, give us a call. You can reach our team on 0800 073 8801, and you will find further contact information at the end of the post.

Can Anything Else Contribute to Compensation Payouts for Holiday Accident Claims in 2022?

If negligence from a UK tour operator has led to you suffering an injury, you may be able to claim as outlined in The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. If you’re seeking compensation for a holiday accident, it could be made up of two different types of damages. General damages have already been explained. This section will focus on special damages.

Special damages relate to the losses, financially, that you’ve suffered because of the injury. For example, you may be unable to work because of the injury. As such, you could claim for loss of earnings. Other financial losses you may be able to claim for include:

  • Travel costs
  • Medical bills
  • Home adjustments
  • Cancellation fees

When claiming for special damages, you need to prove the value of the losses. You would need evidence, such as invoices, bank statements and receipts.

If you have further questions about holiday accident claims, please call our experienced team at a time that suits you. They can inform you of your claim eligibility, provide a compensation estimate and connect you with a specialised solicitor who could help you claim.

No Win No Fee Holiday Accident Compensation Claims

When you make holiday accident claims with Accident Claims UK, you are promised a No Win, No Fee service. But what does this mean?

This is an agreement whereby you will only pay your personal injury solicitor if he or she secures compensation for you. This basically means that if your claim is not successful, you are not going to be billed for the legal service you received because it has not been effective. This should give you great peace of mind when claiming because you know that it is not possible to end up out of pocket by launching a case. Not only this, but it means that everyone can claim, rich or poor, because upfront payments are not needed, and the legal fees will come from your payout.

How much will they charge?

All No Win, No Fee solicitors charge different fees so that you can discuss this with your lawyer beforehand. They will charge a percentage of your compensation, and their money comes directly from this. You do not need to supplement it upfront or do anything along those lines. This can also give you the reassurance that your holiday claims lawyer is working hard for you and that they are only going to take on your case if they believe it is strong enough to be a success. They will never waste your time, as can so easily be the case if you work with a solicitor that bills you per hour for their service. They won’t really be concerned whether your case is a success or not because they are still going to receive the same amount of money at the end of the day. This is why a No Win, No Fee service is better.

We can help you claim for an accident on holiday if it left you injured and was not your fault, please call today if you’d like to know more.

Why Make Your Claim With Us?

There are, of course, a lot of different personal injury claim firms in the United Kingdom, so you may be wondering why you should trust us with your holiday accident claims? There are a number of different reasons why you should make a claim with us. This includes the following:

  • We have more than 30 years of experience in the industry – We have helped thousands of people across the country to get the compensation they deserve for the accident they have been injured in. This includes individuals that have been hurt in holiday accidents.
  • Our solicitors are the best of the best – When you get in touch with us, we will provide you with a personal injury lawyer that has up to 30 years of specialist experience in the industry.
  • We operate a fully No Win, No Service – When we say No Win, No Fee, we genuinely mean it. We explained the benefits of this service in the former paragraph, and you are guaranteed this approach whenever you put through a claim with us.
  • We genuinely care about the people we work with – We know that any type of accident can have horrible consequences, and we want to give you the space you need to recover and focus on the important things. We will always try to secure compensation in an efficient and smooth manner.
  • We always try to secure the highest payouts – Securing compensation is great, but securing the maximum amount of compensation is better. We always strive for the latter.

Contact Our Team Today

If you want to put forth holiday accident claims, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team for more information.

Solicitor talking to a client after they had an accident on holiday and are looking to make a claim

You can reach us on 0800 073 8801. This is our personal injury claims line, and you will be pleased to know that it is open seven days a week, 24 hours per day, so you can ring at any time that suits you.

You should also know that all of the advice we provide regarding accidents abroad comes free of charge and there is no obligation to use our service, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call for more information.

You will speak to one of our friendly and experienced advisors who will be happy to answer any sort of question you have. You can also head to our contact page for further details regarding different ways you can get in touch with us. This includes requesting a call back via our website, using the live chat facility we have on our site and sending an email. There are plenty of ways to get in touch, so you will be able to find an option that is convenient for you.

How difficult is it to claim for an accident on holiday?

When you claim for injuries sustained on holiday, even though you might direct the case to your tour operator, it will actually be managed by an insurance company. As you may imagine, they’re not going to pay you a penny until you can show exactly how their client is liable for your accident and your injuries. You’ll need to show them proof of the extent of your suffering. If you don’t have the evidence or ability to prove these things, an insurance company will try to reduce how much you’re paid or not pay you at all.

Could A Lawyer Benefit You?

For this reason, we would suggest taking on legal representation. When claiming for an accident on holiday, a personal injury lawyer could make everything a little easier, less stressful and could even increase the level of compensation you’re paid.

When you begin, they’ll gather the evidence to support the claim against the holiday company. They will then ask you to attend a medical assessment (held locally) to help understand how you’ve suffered. Once everything is filed with the defendant, they’ll deal with everything for you and supply further evidence and answers if the insurer raises queries or objects to anything.

Our team of experienced solicitors will always act on a No Win No Fee basis for any claim they accept and will always to make sure our clients are compensated fully.

Please call today if you’ve been injured in an accident on holiday and are thinking of claiming compensation.

Useful Links Relating To Holiday Accident Compensation Claims

We hope that you have found this holiday accident claims guide useful in terms of getting the information you need about accidents abroad international personal injury claims. However, if you are still on the lookout for further information, you may find the below useful:

Crime victims abroad

This link takes you to the UK government website, where you will find information on claiming compensation if you have been the victim of a crime abroad.

Travelling abroad

This link also takes you to the UK government website. On this page, you will find details about travelling abroad.

Healthcare overseas

Head to this NHS page to find information on covering your healthcare abroad. This includes details on applying for an EHIC, treatment in Europe, moving abroad, and country guides too.

Other Useful Compensation Guides

Holiday Accident Claims FAQs

What to do if you have an accident abroad?

If happen to find yourself in a situation where you are injured on holiday, you should:

  • Call the police and get a copy of the police report.
  • Exchange contact information with the relevant parties.
  • Take pictures.

Is there a time limit on accident claims?

In order to make personal injury claim, you must begin your case within a personal injury claims time limit of 3-years. The limitation period is extremely important, and should you fail to begin your case, then your case could be affected.

Can I claim after this limitation period has ended?

In typical cases, no. However, if you only realised that you suffered as a result of your accident after it occurred, however much time has passed, exceptions may be made regarding your eligibility to claim.

Can I claim on behalf of another claimant?

Yes, which is referred to as the role of a litigation friend. An example of why you may act as a litigation friend is if your child has been injured through no fault of their own but they’re unable to claim as it’s before their 18th birthday.

How much money can I get from a personal injury lawsuit?

The amount of compensation you could be awarded will be heavily influenced by the circumstances at hand. For instance, the claim will take into account various factors, such as:

  • The cause of the accident.
  • The injuries endured.
  • Lasting implications of the damages caused.

Where can I get an estimated payout figure?

By getting in touch with us at Accident Claims today, we can provide you with an estimated payout figure, free of charge. We offer complimentary consultations to all prospective claimants, with no obligation to continue with our services if you don’t want to.

Should I get a lawyer?

Although there’s no legal requirement to have a lawyer handle your case, they can significantly help their claimants’ chances of success and see that they win the maximum compensation that they deserve.

How can I get in touch with Accident Claims?

You can call us on the number at the top of this page today, with our specialist advisors available to take your call 24/7. Alternatively, please see our contact section earlier in this guide for some other options.

Can you tell me what to do if I have an accident on holiday? 

We can offer advice on what to do if you have an accident on holiday that isn’t your fault. We would advise you to get medical attention if you suffer injuries. You should also get in touch with your insurance company. It could be wise to take photographs of the scene of the accident/your injuries. Further to this, reporting the accident could be vital, particularly if you’re injured in a road traffic accident or an assault. We would also advise you to seek legal advice, which we could provide to you.

Can you claim for an accident abroad? 

You may be wondering whether you’re able to claim for an accident abroad that caused you harm. However, the process may be different depending on the country. If you are unsure as to whether you’re eligible to start a claim for an accident abroad that wasn’t your fault, call our team for more information.

Can you claim compensation for being ill on holiday?

Falling ill on holiday can be frustrating, particularly if it reduces your enjoyment of the holiday. If you experienced food poisoning after eating in a hotel restaurant that was part of the package holiday you booked, you may be able to claim for being ill on holiday. You would need to prove your duty of care was breached causing you harm. 

If you would like to learn more about holiday accident compensation claims of this kind, please call our team.

 

Thank you for reading about what to do if you have an accident on holiday and how to make holiday accident claims.