Accidents on holiday abroad can be nightmare scenarios, firstly in ruining what should be an enjoyable and relaxing experience, and secondly in having to deal with injuries and illnesses in unfamiliar surroundings where language and cultural barriers can cause difficulties.
If an overseas trip was a package holiday booked with a UK tour operator then it will often be possible to make a compensation claim for a holiday accident under British law, as per the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992. To qualify any two of three elements must have been booked with the same UK holiday company:
A) Hotel / Accommodation
B) Flights / Travel
C) Car Hire / Airport Transfer / Excursions
Steps to Take Following a Holiday Accident Abroad
1) Report the circumstances of an accident to the tour operator’s representative at the hotel or resort overseas. They should pass the details on to the company’s headquarters in the UK and provide you with a written report concerning the incident.
2) Management at an overseas hotel or resort should also be informed, and details should be recorded in their accident book or equivalent. It is important to obtain written reports or other paperwork confirming the circumstances of an accident from as many sources as possible.
3) The injured person’s travel insurance company must be notified at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that medical expenses are met and / or emergency travel requirements are dealt with promptly. If a UK national is travelling independently and their trip does not qualify as a package deal, travel insurance will be the only way of offsetting what are often exorbitant overseas medical bills. Again, the insurers should be contacted as swiftly as possible, and the local British Consul’s staff may be able to assist with emergency situations and offer practical advice.
4) Though this sounds obvious, seeking specialist medical attention as quickly as possible following an accident is essential, as a medical report will be the only verification of the extent of a person’s injuries. Along with a copy of the medical report, receipts for medical charges and any sundry expenses should also be retained.
5) Write down the names and contact details of any witnesses to an accident, as well anyone else injured in the same incident. Photographs or video footage of the cause of an accident and the nature of a person’s injuries should also be taken, and a version of events should be written down and retained to help build an accurate picture of events later on.
When an injured person returns to the UK they should seek legal advice from a firm of solicitors specialising in holiday accidents abroad. Bartletts Solicitors is one such firm, with over 50 legal staff experienced in claiming compensation for accidents and injuries sustained overseas. Contact us today for free legal advice from a firm that you can trust and rely on.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
