As summer approaches, many of us will be taking holidays abroad. Holidays are often a time to de-stress, relax and have fun however, in unfortunate events, holiday makers may experience accidents or illnesses while on holiday which can mean the holiday is ruined and potentially even cut short. An accident abroad can be very stressful and can have a knock on effect upon return to the UK, financially and physically.

If you have been involved in an accident abroad which was not your fault during a package holiday or an excursion booked through the holiday provider then you may be entitled to a claim for compensation.

Package holidays are usually safer than booking a holiday independently as they come with underwritten insurance that protects you if something goes wrong. Package holidays are also legally protected by the 1992 Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulations Act, which supports overseas holiday accident claims when you are back in the UK. Where the regulations apply, the holiday provider can be held directly responsible for any holiday accident and any personal injury suffered as a consequence, either within or outside the UK, providing that the accident arose through the negligence of another party. The negligent act which causes the injury must be linked directly through the accommodation, travel or excursion purchased through the holiday provider.

Potential accidents:

  • Slips, trips or falls;
  • Injuries while on excursions;
  • Falls on wet/poorly maintained floors;
  • Water sport accidents;
  • Illness or infection contracted due to bad hygiene.

Things to note:

  • Keep a record of dates and times of the illness/injury;

  • Keep a record of any medical attention sough and ask for a copy of your medical records;

  • Keep a record of all financial loss incurred as a result of the injury e.g. transport costs, medical costs;

  • Check to see if there are any CCTV cameras that may have caught the accident;

  • Report the accident to your tour operator or a first aider and make sure an entry is made in the accident report book and obtain a copy;

  • Take details of any witnesses;

  • Take photographs of the accident scene.

If you have suffered an injury or illness while on a package holiday within the last three years then please contact our office for a no obligation consultation. Most of the personal injury cases we deal with are on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis and so there is no financial risk to you. Call 0845 287 0939 or submit your enquiry online.