Many of us are looking forward to a holiday abroad this summer. While we all hope to return home with no more than a tan and something cheeky from the duty free shop, the fact is that many people suffer injuries while they are away. Common accidents include slipping near swimming pools or on mopped floors, tripping on defective paving, injuries from poorly maintained equipment in hotel rooms, carry-on luggage in planes causing a trip or falling hazard, food poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Holiday Injury Claims
Many people believe that if they suffer an injury abroad and they want to claim compensation, they will have to instruct a lawyer in that country. However, very often that is not the case. Solicitors in the UK can usually deal with claims resulting from a foreign accident, which is a lot more convenient and straightforward for the victim.
Package holidays are still very popular, and if you have booked a package then you may have the protection of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. However, even if you do not think that you have booked a package, we may still be able to help you. These days a lot of people book their holiday using online booking agents. In those circumstances it can be tricky to work out whether you have a ‘package’ or not. We have a great deal of experience in applying the ‘Package Regulations’, so we can look at your holiday arrangements and advise you on whether or not you can bring an injury claim, and against whom.
If you are injured while on-board an aeroplane or a ship (or even during the process of getting on or off), then there are special international conventions which apply to your claim for compensation. We have experience in applying those conventions, so we can help you pursue your personal injury claim.
If you do suffer an injury while on holiday, make sure that you seek medical help; report it to your holiday company and/or the hotel/airline; take photographs if appropriate; and contact us as soon as you get home.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.