Compensation for a holiday accident

Accidents that happen on holiday can be upsetting and costly experiences. If you have suffered an injury as a result of an accident that occurred whilst on holiday, and the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

If the holiday accident resulting in the injury happened within the UK, the normal rules of negligence will apply to your personal injury claim. This means it must be proven that the party at fault failed in their duty of care towards you, and this failure caused the accident. The accident must have caused the injury and the resulting financial loss. Financial loss caused by an accident can include the cost of medical bills and alternative transport costs.

If you have suffered an injury whilst on holiday abroad, the situation regarding a claim for accident compensation becomes more complicated. This is due to the fact that holiday accidents abroad occur in different jurisdictions. If you booked your holiday through a tour operator or travel agent, it may be possible to bring a personal injury claim against them in the UK. It must be proven that the tour operator or travel agent is responsible for your injury, for example, if you are injured by defective equipment within your hotel or you have slipped on a poorly maintained pathway in your hotel grounds.

If the holiday accident is not the fault of a tour operator or travel agent, for example you are injured in a foreign amusement park; you may still be able to obtain compensation. In order to obtain compensation, you will need to seek professional legal advice. A solicitor in this country will liaise with a solicitor in the country where the accident occurred in order to assess and pursue your personal injury claim under the foreign jurisdiction.

Many holiday accidents will be covered by travel insurance. However, if you feel you would like to pursue a claim further, Contact Law can recommend a local personal injury solicitor local to you.

If you would like to obtain legal advice on compensation, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local personal injury / accident solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local personal injury / accident solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.