Getting injured on holiday can ruin more than just your plans. It can leave you facing expensive hospital bills, travel disruption and uncertainty about what you should do next. Whether you slipped at a hotel swimming pool, were hurt during an outing, or fell ill because of food poisoning, it’s important to know what you can do to protect both your health and your right to claim compensation if somebody else was to blame.
Here’s what to do if you’re injured while on holiday.
Get Medical Attention As Soon As Possible
Your health comes first. If you’re seriously hurt, seek medical attention right away. Depending on where you are, that might mean visiting a local hospital, seeing a doctor at the hotel, or calling for an ambulance.
Once you’ve been treated, make sure you get a copy of any medical notes, test results, or prescriptions. These records may support a holiday accident claim later on.
Report The Accident To Somebody In Charge
If the accident happened in a hotel, on a guided tour, or as part of a package holiday, you should report it to the hotel manager, your holiday rep, or tour operator as soon as possible. Ask for the details to be recorded in an accident book or incident report, and try to get a copy if you can.
If you don’t report what happened, it may be harder to prove the details of your claim once you’re back home.
Gather As Much Evidence As You Can
Take photos of the accident scene and anything that may have contributed to what happened, such as a slippery floor, broken tiles, loose wires or poor lighting. If you have visible injuries, photograph those too.
If anybody else saw what happened, ask for their name and contact details. Witness statements can be very useful if the other side disputes what happened later on.
Notify Your Travel Insurance Provider
If you have travel insurance, let them know about your injury and check what medical expenses are covered. Some policies require you to contact them before seeking treatment, especially if repatriation is needed or you need to extend your stay due to your injury or illness.
Keep all paperwork, reference numbers, and receipts for anything you’ve paid for due to the holiday accident.
Keep Receipts For All Expenses
If your injury or illness has left you out of pocket, keep the receipts. That might include:
- Medical expenses.
- Transport to and from a clinic or hospital.
- Hotel costs if you had to extend your stay.
- Replacement travel costs if your return trip was delayed.
These may be included in your compensation payout if you make a successful claim.
Get Legal Advice When You Return Home
If your holiday accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, for example, due to poor maintenance in your hotel or hygiene failures in the restaurant, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
Thankfully, our claims advisors are here to help. We offer free, no-obligation advice and can let you know if you could be entitled to compensation. The sooner you get in touch, the easier it usually is to gather the right evidence and make sure your claim stays within the time limits.
Learn more about making a holiday accident claim here.
Know Your Rights Under The Package Travel Regulations
If you booked a package holiday through a UK tour operator, you may be able to claim against the company here in the UK, rather than a business abroad.
The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 mean the operator is responsible for making sure all parts of your holiday meet proper health and safety standards. That makes it much easier to make a compensation claim if something goes wrong.
Be Aware Of Time Limits
In most cases, where the accident was in the UK, you’ll have 3 years from the date of the accident to start a claim. However, if the accident happened abroad, local laws may apply and the time limit could be shorter.
Don’t assume you’ve got plenty of time to file your claim. Some claims need to be started sooner depending on the country, the travel company’s terms, or whether a child was injured. A solicitor from our team can confirm the time limit based on your specific situation.
Speak With Us About Your Accident On Holiday
If you’ve returned home from a holiday with an injury that wasn’t your fault, you might be unsure whether you have a valid claim or what evidence you need to support it. That’s where we come in.
Our claims advisors offer a free initial consultation. You can ask questions, explain what happened, and find out where you stand, all without any obligation to proceed. If we believe you have a valid claim, we may be able to connect you with a specialist holiday accident solicitor. They could then help gather the evidence needed to build a strong case on your behalf.
Whether your accident happened at a hotel, on an excursion, or while at the airport, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost enjoyment, or financial losses.
For free legal advice about your situation, call 0800 6524 881 today or request a callback at a time that suits you.