Holiday Accident Compensation: Making a Claim

Last year, when the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began, most of us couldn’t have predicted that we would still be wary about going abroad for our summer holidays.

But many of us are.

In a recent poll carried out by First4Lawyers, 46.6% of respondents said they were delaying their summer holiday over safety concerns.

But although many of us are taking staycations instead, the risk of a holiday accident remains.

So if you’re fighting for space on a UK beach or sunning yourself in a Green List destination, you might need to know what to do if you get hurt and want to claim holiday accident compensation.

Health risks on holiday

When you’re away from home, you are less familiar with the area you’re staying in. This can mean you don’t notice the hazards that might be present. This can mean you end up getting hurt.

Slips, trips and falls can be more likely to happen when you’re somewhere new. When you’re on holiday, you’re more likely to be relaxed, which means you might not be as careful as you might normally be.

Certain sporting activities can also be a health hazard. Trying an activity for the first time can be exciting and fun – but it can also be risky if you’re not prepared. It’s important to be careful when taking part in something new. But it’s also important to know what your rights are if you’re hurt in the process.

Claiming holiday accident compensation

Having to claim holiday accident compensation isn’t something too many of us will have to think about this year. But for those who do, it will be because their time away has turned sour.

This could have been from any kind of accident or illness. If your accident happened to you in the last three years and was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

You should try to get as much evidence together as possible. This will help make your case as strong as possible. This could include:

• CCTV footage
• Hotel accident book reports
• Medical records
• Photographs of your injury and the accident scene

When you decide to go ahead with a claim for holiday accident compensation, you can speak to our understanding and compassionate advisors. If they think you have a claim, they’ll then introduce you to one of our specialist solicitors.

If your solicitor agrees that you have a potential claim, they’ll then take over the management of your case on a No Win No Fee basis. They’ll present your evidence and then negotiate to get you the compensation that could help your recovery.

Staycation accident compensation

Just because your holiday might be taking place in the UK, it unfortunately doesn’t always mean you’re going to be safe. Many of the same risks you’d encounter abroad are still present here at home, such as unfamiliarity with where you’re visiting leading to a potential fall.

We helped our client Mrs R claim £17,250 in holiday accident compensation after slipping and breaking her ankle at a caravan park in Norfolk.

How much compensation you’ll be entitled to will depend on how serious your injury is. The longer your symptoms last, the more compensation you’ll likely be entitled to. For example, a minor shoulder injury could see you receive up to £6,290, while a severe injury could mean you’re entitled to up to £38,280.

But it’s not just your injury you could be compensated for. You could also make a claim for any financial impact your injury has had on you. This could include a loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work, any medical treatment or the cost of transport to and from medical appointments.

If you’ve been hurt in any holiday accident – whether in the UK or abroad – in the last three years, First4Lawyers could help you make a compensation claim. To find out, just give us a call or start your claim online.