A Guide To Holiday Accident Abroad Compensation Claims

By Christine Anthony. Last Updated 15th February 2021. Welcome to our guide to holiday accident abroad compensation claims. Holidays are supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience. With our increasingly hectic lives, we often go on holiday to de-stress and de-compress. Therefore if we are injured or made ill when we are on holiday abroad, often made worse because we are in an unfamiliar location, the stress and upset can ruin the holiday completely.

If you have experienced a holiday accident abroad causing you to become injured or ill, you could be entitled to make a holiday accident and illness claim for compensation. Although your claim may be more complicated if you were injured abroad, compensation can help with your recovery a great deal especially if you have had to take sick leave from work.

Legal Helpline has created this guide to claiming holiday accidents and illness compensation, for people who have experienced an accident on a package holiday or wish to make an overseas accident compensation claim. We will look at common accidents and injuries people experience on holiday abroad, advise you what to do if you are injured on holiday, and look into the process of finding the right solicitor to handle your claim if you are injured abroad.

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A Guide To Claiming Compensation After An Accident Abroad On Holiday

Holiday Accident Abroad Compensation Claims

Holiday Accident Abroad

Have you experienced a holiday accident abroad which was not your fault? If your accident resulted in you becoming ill or injured, you could be entitled to make a holiday accident claim for compensation.

Hotels, tour operators, airlines and other holiday service providers all have a legal “duty of care” towards their customers, meaning that they are legally responsible for providing them with a safe and healthy environment whilst they are using their premises or services. If the holiday service provider acts negligently, for example, ignoring a health and safety hazard, which in turn causes you an accident, leading to an injury or illness then you could be entitled to claim compensation. Trust Legal Helpline to provide you with the right personal injury solicitor to represent you in your holiday accident and illness claim.

We can offer a free helpline staffed by experienced advisors, who offer holiday accident abroad compensation claims advice for free. Call us today for a free consultation. We will determine whether or not you have legitimate grounds to claim accident abroad compensation and if you do, we will let you know how much holiday accident and illness compensation you could be entitled to and provide you with an excellent personal injury solicitor to handle your claim.

If you have been injured in a holiday accident abroad that was not your fault, Legal Helpline’s panel of expert personal injury lawyers would love to represent you in your overseas accident compensation claim. Call us today on 0333 000 0729, to see how much you could claim.

What Is An Accident Abroad?

From the perspective of a British holidaymaker, an accident on holiday abroad is an accident that takes place when the holidaymaker is travelling overseas. If the accident was not their fault but was caused by negligence on the part of a third party, for example, a road accident caused by a negligent driver, or a slip, trip or fall accident in a hotel lobby, caused by a wet floor, then you could be entitled to claim compensation. Some common accidents abroad that take place on foreign holidays include road accidents, excursion accidents, food poisoning, slips, trips and falls and sporting accidents.

Holiday Accidents Statistics

We would like to share some important holiday accident statistics with you. According to Post Office Travel Insurance, from 2007 to 2021, the total payout for holiday accident abroad compensation claims they covered was over £161 million. Whilst some of the injuries holidaymakers endure are minor and easily treated, others such as cases of severe food poisoning, or broken bones can be more serious. Not only could these injuries be painful, but they also proved to be a costly affair. The amount spent on medical care to treat injuries, or replacement or repairs for possessions such as sporting equipment damaged as a result of these actions can be concerning.

If you have been injured or made ill on holiday, due to an accident that was caused by the negligence of a third party, then you could be entitled to claim thousands of pounds in compensation for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused. What’s more, if your claim is successful you will also be able to claim secondary damages. These will include a rebate for any expenses you have experienced as a result of you being injured on holiday, such as medical expenses and travel expenses. So as you can see, it’s well worth pursuing an accident on holiday compensation claim.

Source: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance

If You Experience An Injury Abroad, What To Do?

It goes without saying that if you experience an accident or an injury on holiday abroad, seeking the correct medical treatment should be your first priority especially if your accident is serious.

If you experience an illness or injury abroad, what to do about seeking compensation? If the accident was not your fault, you could be entitled to claim holiday accidents and illness compensation worth potentially tens of thousands of pounds. There are some simple steps you can take after your accident to collect evidence to support your holiday accident claim at a later date. We will look at these actions in more detail below.

Injury abroad, what to do to support your claim?

  • Take photographs of the hazard that caused your accident and your injuries if they are visible. Include a date stamp if possible.
  • Take down contact details of any witnesses that may be required to give evidence later.
  • If you experienced a road traffic accident, exchange contact details with the other driver and note down the vehicle registration number. If it is a commercial vehicle, ask for the details of the company that owns the vehicle.
  • Keep proof of expenses you experienced as a result of your holiday accident abroad. If your claim is successful, you will be able to claim these back at a later date.
  • See a doctor at the earliest possible instance for a medical assessment. They will produce a medical report, which will be the basis for your overseas accident compensation claim.

Can I Claim Compensation If Injured Whilst On A Package Holiday

The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 supports your right to claim compensation because of an accident on a package holiday. Under these regulations, if you experience an accident on a package holiday that was not your fault, which results in you becoming ill or injured, you can claim compensation for your injuries.

The first step that you should take is to report your accident to the tour operator that you booked your holiday through. Then, call Legal Helpline who will be happy to offer you holiday accident abroad compensation claims advice and find the right personal injury solicitor to handle your claim. Remember though, your personal injury solicitor can only help you if you begin your claim within 3 years of having your accident, so call us today to begin the process of claiming compensation for an accident on a package holiday.

I Had A Slip, Trip, Or Fall On Holiday. Can I Claim Compensation?

If you were injured on holiday due to a slip, trip or fall accident, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. You will first have to prove that the accident was caused by negligence on the part of a third party and therefore was not your fault. Common causes of slip, trip and fall injuries on holidays can include spilt drinks on marble floors in hotels, breakages on hotel staircases or rails coming loose. If you have experienced a slip, trip or fall accident on holiday abroad, call Legal Helpline today to enquire about making an overseas accident compensation claim.

A Family Member Was Injured On Holiday, Can I Make A Claim For Them?

If you are the parent of a child below the age of 18, who was injured on holiday due to a holiday accident abroad that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can claim compensation on your child’s behalf. The holiday accidents and illness compensation can be used to compensate your child for the pain and suffering caused by their injuries, as well as provide them with any medical treatment or other forms of care that they might need going forward.

In the tragic event that your next of kin, such as your spouse, child or parent, dies on holiday as a result of an accident abroad that was caused by negligent action, you can also claim compensation on their behalf. You will have three years in which to begin your compensation claim. If you call Legal Helpline for accident abroad claims advice, our friendly advisors will consult you in a kind and sensitive manner.

Can I Claim Compensation After A Road Traffic Accident On Holiday Abroad

In some countries, the rates of road traffic accidents could be much higher than in Britain’s. In Germany, British tourists could be vulnerable to road traffic accidents if unfamiliar with the country’s autobahn system where there are no speed limits. If you experienced a road traffic accident that was caused by another driver driving dangerously or irresponsibly, you could be entitled to claim car accident abroad compensation. To see if you are entitled to claim car accident abroad compensation, call Legal Helpline today for more advice.

What Accidents On Holiday Are The Most Frequent?

Here is a list of some of the most common holiday accidents abroad, which we help clients claim holiday accident compensation for.

  • Car Accidents
  • Road Traffic Accidents
  • Motorcycle accident abroad.
  • Injuries from sports, including activities such as climbing, skiing or water sports accidents.
  • Injuries which were due to substandard or otherwise defective rented vehicles.
  • Sickness due to substandard hygiene in your hotel or other accommodation.
  • Sickness caused by food or drinks.
  • Accidents in, around, or caused by swimming pools.
  • Accidents or injuries on an excursion.
  • Injuries suffered whilst travelling via public transport outside the UK.
  • Slips, trips, and falls on holiday caused by obstructions, wet floors, or other negligent circumstances.
  • General road traffic or car accidents.
  • Accidents on or caused by a motorbike whilst abroad

These are all common injuries abroad that Legal Helpline’s solicitors frequently help our clients make personal injury claims for. If you were injured while on holiday, but your injuries are not listed above, you could still make a personal injury claim for holiday accident compensation. As long as you can prove that the accident was the fault of a third party and your injuries affected you for at least three days. Call Legal Helpline today to enquire about making holiday accident abroad compensation claims.

What Can You Claim For If Injured On A Holiday Abroad?

If you experience a holiday accident abroad that was not your fault and resulted in you becoming injured, whether its an accident on a package holiday or an accident on a holiday you have booked yourself, you could be entitled to claim compensation. The holiday accidents and illness compensation you receive will be awarded in two parts.

The first part will be general damages, which reflect the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of your injuries. You will also be awarded special damages, which will compensate you for any expenses you have associated with your injuries. This can include expenses for travel, medical care, at-home care or home adaptation you may have needed as a result of your injuries.

How Much Compensation Could You Claim After An Accident On Holiday?

Our clients are often concerned with how much holiday accident compensation they can claim. You can use our accident abroad compensation calculator to help you estimate how much your accident abroad compensation could be worth. This calculator is based on average amounts of holiday accident compensation that our clients are awarded for different injuries.

Type of accident or injurySettlement rangeNotes
Minor Wrist InjuriesUp to £9,620Fractures/soft tissue injuries which are not very serious and which can be recovered from.
Less Serious Wrist Injuries£11,820 to £22,990Simple or easy to heel breaks and fractures, or more serious sprains. Will heal over the short term.
Serious Wrist Injuries£22,990 to £36,770More complicated fractures or injuries which will heal over the longer term.
Severe Wrist Injuries£44,690 to £56,180Permanent loss of mobility/ functionality in the affected wrist.
Serious Shoulder Injuries£11,980 to £18,020Dislocated shoulders as well as other more serious injuries, including damage which leads to disability in this area.
Minor shoulder injuriesUp to £7,410Settlement will depend on how serious and long lasting the injury is.
Severe chest injuries£94,470 to £140,870Very serious types of injuries which could include very serious damage to or removal of an internal injury.
Minor chest injuriesUp to £3,710Fractured rib or similar level of soft tissue injury/ soft tissue damage.
Severe Arm Injuries£90,250 to £122,860Injury limiting the function of the arm, and which will take a long time to heal, if at all and fall short of amputation.
Simple Arm Fractures£6,190 to £18,020May include fractures of the forearm bones.
Less Severe Arm Fractures£18,020 to £36,770
Fractures in the upper arm bone.

Please be aware, our accident abroad compensation calculator only quotes general damages that our clients are awarded, and does not include additional special damages. It is based on average compensation amounts and does not take your individual circumstances into account. We recommend that you call Legal Helpline to receive accident abroad claims advice on how much your holiday accident and illness claim could be worth.

No Win No Fee Compensation Claims For Accidents Abroad On Holiday

Have you thought about making a no win no fee claim? No win no fee means that you will receive the same great service that any other client will receive, but you only pay your solicitors fees if you win. This means that there is no financial risk to you. What’s more, because there is no upfront or ongoing fee, it’s the more affordable way to make a personal injury claim for a holiday accident abroad.

Call Legal Helpline to enquire about making a no win no fee claim today. After listening to your situation in depth, we can provide you with an excellent personal injury solicitor who can offer you a no win no fee service. Call today, to begin your holiday accident compensation claim.

Why Use Legal Helpline UK?

Legal Helpline is a personal injury claims advisory service and Claims Management Company, which is staffed by informed legal advisors. You can call us for free to receive holiday accident abroad compensation claims advice. If you have legitimate grounds to claim, we will refer you to a personal injury solicitor on our panel who has experience handling holiday accident claims, who will proceed with yours right away.

Many of our personal injury solicitors have decades of experience, so you’ll be in safe hands. Our solicitors always fight to get their clients the maximum amount of compensation they are owed, so there’s no one better to handle your overseas accident compensation claim.

Talk To Legal Helpline UK Today

If you have questions about making a claim for a holiday accident abroad, we’d love to hear from you. Call us today, for your free consultation to see how much your compensation claim could be worth, alternatively use our online enquiry form. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Useful Links

Foreign travel advice

Advice from the UK government on travelling in foreign destinations.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Public Park Accident?

Were you injured in a public park? Our guide could help you.

How Much Compensation for a Head Injury Claim?

Head injuries can be devastating. You could claim if you didn’t cause the accident leading to the injuries, but read our guide to make sure. 

Hit-and-Run Compensation Claims

Injured in a road traffic accident and the driver didn’t stay at the scene? You could claim. Read our guide to check.

Eye Injury Claims

We can also assist you with these kinds of claims.

Holiday Accident Abroad Compensation Claims FAQs

What is the average payout for a personal injury claim in the UK?

The average personal injury claim payout might not be what you could retrieve in compensation. Certain injuries, such as those that result in brain damage, could be compensated for more than others, such as a fractured thumb. Additionally, you could be compensated for financial loss, which can be higher for those who, for example, lost out on future earnings because they can’t continue their chosen profession.

How much do solicitors charge for compensation claims?

No Win No Fee solicitors won’t charge you their fees if your case loses. If your case wins, you pay but their fees are capped at a minor rate by law so that you get the compensation you deserve. 

Can you claim compensation for an accident that was your fault?

You could claim compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault and you suffered injuries. If you had some (but not all) responsibility for causing the accident, speak to our panel of solicitors as there is potential you could make a claim.

Thank you for reading our guide to holiday accident abroad compensation claims.