Your holidays are supposed to be a relaxing time for you and your family, but if you suffer an accident whilst you are away then your holiday can quickly turn into a nightmare. Holiday accidents can be especially difficult to deal with if you are in a foreign country and you do not know how the medical system works. In addition to this, medical care can be very expensive if you’re not a national of the country in which you suffer your accident.
If you suffered an injury whilst you were away on holiday, and the injury was not your fault, then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Are All Claims Eligible?
It can be harder to make a claim for an accident which you suffered whilst you were on holiday in a foreign country because international laws are not the same as British laws, and therefore liability may not be the same. However, if you have suffered an injury whilst staying at accommodation which is run by a British holiday company, or whilst doing an activity which is run by a British tour operator, then you should have many of the same rights that you would have if you were in the United Kingdom.
These holiday companies have a duty of care towards people who are holidaying with them, and if they put their holidaymakers at risk, then they may be liable to pay compensation for any injuries which are suffered.
Another important factor to consider is how recently the accident happened. Most types of claims have a maximum limitation of 3 years, which means that claims cannot be made more than 3 years after the date of the accident. Some types of claims are actually limited to fewer than 3 years, so it is better to start the process as soon as you can.
If you have suffered an accident whilst on holiday, you should talk to a solicitor who specialises in holiday accident claims, so that they can advise you about whether or not you may have an eligible claim.
Common Accidents That Happen On Holiday
Any kind of accident that can happen whilst you are at home can also happen whilst you are on holiday, from sports injuries to road traffic accidents. However, there are also a few other injuries which are commonly associated with holiday accident claims.
- Pool accidents are one of the most common types of accidents which are associated with holidays. These can include accidents in the water and accidents around the pool itself, such as cutting your feet on broken glass or cracked flagstones.
- Other holiday accidents occur when guests are asked to stay in places which are not fit for purpose, such as hotels or apartment complexes which are still undergoing building work. In these places, guests can be injured by structural problems or by the tools and resources which are left lying around by builders.
- A third type of holiday accident which regularly occurs is accidents by people who are doing watersports. If the holiday company does not take necessary precautions to ensure people’s safety when they are doing these sports on their holiday, then it is possible that the consequences could be very severe.
- Lastly, holiday food poisoning is a common generator of holiday claims. It is particularly common in all-inclusive resorts where buffet food is often left sitting out on the sides for hours on end. Whilst some people may not categorise food poisoning as an accident, it can ruin a holiday and can cost victims much more than just their health. If food poisoning ruins your getaway, then you may also be able to claim back the cost of your accommodation and any ruined excursions.
Maximising Your Compensation
To be awarded fair compensation you should make sure that you get in contact with a solicitor who specializes in holiday accident claims. These solicitors will have a good understanding of the rules and responsibilities which surround holiday claims, and they will know what is expected of British tour operators when they are running holidays abroad. You should get in contact with a good personal injury solicitor today to begin your claim if applicable.
