Have you been injured while travelling abroad due to someone else’s negligent actions? Whether you slipped at a hotel, suffered a broken leg on an excursion, or contracted food poisoning on a package holiday, you may be entitled to compensation. Accident abroad claims can compensate you for the financial losses and suffering caused by an injury overseas, and this guide will show you how to start the process with confidence.
Legal Helpline specialises in supporting people just like you with their personal injury claims. We work with a panel of solicitors experienced in handling a wide range of foreign accident claims, and we can assist you in pursuing the compensation you may be owed on a No Win No Fee basis.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- Who is eligible to make a holiday accident compensation claim
- What types of accidents abroad can lead to compensation
- The types of compensation that could be awarded
- How to start a holiday injury claim, and what evidence you’ll need
- Key deadlines and time limits for making a claim
- How our panel of solicitors can help you claim under a No Win No Fee agreement
If you were injured during a holiday abroad and the accident wasn’t your fault, don’t delay. Our lines are open 24/7, so contact us for free today about your potential accident abroad claim:
- Call 0333 0000729
- Fill out our ‘Contact Us‘ form
- Send a message into our live on-screen chat box
Jump To A Section
- Who Can Make Accident Abroad Claims?
- How Much Compensation Can Be Paid In Holiday Accident Claims?
- What Types Of Accidents Abroad Could I Claim For?
- What Should I Do If I’m Injured Whilst On Holiday Abroad?
- Do I Have To Claim For Holiday Accidents Within A Set Time?
- No Win No Fee Accident Abroad Claims
- More Information
Who Can Make Accident Abroad Claims?
If you’ve suffered an injury while overseas, you might still have the right to pursue an accident abroad compensation claim.
When you’re on holiday, different parties, such as tour operators, hotels, or transport providers, owe you a duty of care. This means they are responsible for ensuring your safety as part of the services they provide. If you are harmed due to their failure to uphold this responsibility, you may be able to make a claim.
In some cases, claims must be brought in the country where the incident occurred, and will be governed by that nation’s legal system. This may affect how much compensation you could receive and how the claims process is handled.
However, if your trip was booked as a package holiday, you might be able to make your claim in the UK. The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 allows holidaymakers to seek compensation from UK-based tour operators if they’ve been injured due to negligent actions within the package, such as a poorly maintained hotel or unsafe excursion.
To qualify for a claim under this legislation, you will usually need to show that:
- The tour operator owed you a duty of care at the time of the incident. When you book more than one part of your holiday together, such as flights and hotel, or hotel and excursions, this becomes a package holiday, and the above law applies.
- That duty of care was not met.
- As a result, you suffered an injury or illness.
Call our advisors today to find out if your circumstances meet the criteria to make a foreign accident claim.
How Much Compensation Can Be Paid In Holiday Accident Claims?
If you’re making your claim under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, there are two key elements in a compensation claim:
- General Damages – for physical and psychological pain and suffering.
- Special Damages – for financial losses linked to your injury.
Below is a table based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The Judicial College Guidelines are a set of published compensation brackets used by legal professionals in the UK to help value general damages in personal injury claims, based on the type and severity of the injury.
These figures do not include special damages, and cannot be guaranteed for any accident abroad claim. The top figure is also not from the JCG.
| Type of harm | Severity of harm | Guideline compensation bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries/illnesses and special damages | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | An award covering more than one serious type of harm and the financial losses that have resulted, such as loss of earnings |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 | Includes cases such as quadriplegic cerebral palsy with severe physical and cognitive disabilities |
| Less severe (d) | £18,700 to £52,550 | Memory and concentration will be affected, but a good recovery will be made and the person will be able to return to work and a normal social life | |
| Back | Severe (a)(i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | A combination of incomplete paralysis and severe pain and disability |
| Moderate (b)(ii) | £15,260 to £33,880 | Includes cases such as prolapsed discs that necessitate a laminectomy | |
| Ankle | Very severe (a) | £61,090 to £85,070 | Includes cases such as a bilateral ankle fracture that causes degeneration of the joints at a young age |
| Modest (d) | Up to £16,770 | Less serious sprains, fractures, and ligamentous injuries | |
| Wrist | Complete loss of function (a) | £58,710 to £73,050 | Where an arthrodesis is performed |
| Less severe (c) | £15,370 to £29,900 | Where there is still some permanent disability, such as a degree of stiffness |
What Would Determine The Amount Of Compensation I Get?
The final compensation payout will be based on factors across two main components:
General Damages
- Severity of the injury – More serious or long-term injuries typically result in higher compensation.
- Level of pain and suffering – The extent of physical and psychological distress experienced can significantly impact the award.
- Duration of recovery – A longer recovery period often increases the value of general damages.
- Impact on daily life – If the injury affects your ability to work, care for yourself, or enjoy hobbies, this can raise the value.
- Loss of amenity – The reduction in your quality of life or ability to enjoy everyday activities as a result of your injury, such as being unable to pursue hobbies, social events, or exercise.
- Prognosis for the future – Ongoing symptoms or permanent impairment can lead to a higher compensation amount.
Special Damages
Special damages are designed to reimburse you for any financial loss incurred due to your injury, including:
- Loss of income from time off work
- Future earnings if your ability to work has been affected
- Private medical bills for treatment or therapy
- Travel and accommodation costs linked to your injury
- Assistance or care costs (paid or unpaid)
To maximise your compensation, detailed financial evidence such as receipts, invoices, payslips, and other documentation will be crucial.
Call Legal Helpline now to get your special and general damages assessed by professionals. Start the claim process today with no upfront costs.
What Types Of Accidents Abroad Could I Claim For?
Below are some common types of accidents that can happen abroad, along with examples of how a failure in duty of care could result in injury. Please note that to make your claim back in the UK, and under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, where the accident occurred must come under the arrangement of a package holiday.
Slips, Trips And Falls
- At a resort hotel, cleaning staff had mopped the marble reception floor but failed to display wet floor signs. As a result, you slipped and fractured your wrist.
- In a holiday apartment complex, booked as part of a package holiday, a broken stair tile on the communal stairwell was reported but not repaired. You tripped on it descending the stairs, suffering a sprained ankle and back bruising.
Injured During A Day Excursion
- On a snorkelling tour booked via your package provider, staff failed to provide proper safety briefings or equipment checks. There was a fault with the oxygen tank, which left you unconscious.
- During a guided hiking trip, you were taken on unstable terrain. The path gave way, and you fell from a height, causing a head injury.
Food Poisoning
- At an all-inclusive resort, you consumed undercooked chicken served at the buffet. Hours later, you began experiencing severe stomach pain and vomiting, later confirmed as food poisoning.
- At the hotel BBQ, the meat was left out for too long in the heat, which led to gastroenteritis.
Call us today to find out if you can claim for your injury abroad and take the first step toward compensation.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured Whilst On Holiday Abroad?
If you’re injured abroad, taking the right steps as soon as possible can help strengthen your claim later. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention – get a diagnosis and keep all medical records
- Report the accident – notify the hotel, excursion operator, or transport company
- Gather evidence – take photos, keep receipts, and document the scene
- Contact your insurance company – report the incident as required under your policy
- Inform your tour operator – especially for package holidays
The more evidence you collect, the stronger your compensation claim will be. If a solicitor from our panel connects with you, they will be able to help collect your evidence with you.
Speak with our team now and let us help you gather and present compelling evidence for your travel accident claim.
Do I Have To Claim For Holiday Accidents Within A Set Time?
Yes, there are strict time limits for starting a personal injury claim after an accident abroad:
You typically have up to 3 years from the date the accident abroad happened to start a personal injury claim in the UK, as per the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are exceptions for minors and those who lack mental capacity.
To find out whether you’re still within your time limit to claim, speak to our friendly advisors today. Don’t delay, time could be running out.
No Win No Fee Accident Abroad Claims
If you’re concerned about legal costs, a No Win No Fee claim could make the process more accessible. Here’s how it works with our panel of solicitors:
- Our panel of solicitors use a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) – This is a type of No Win No Fee contract that allows you to pursue a claim without paying upfront legal fees.
- No upfront or ongoing solicitor fees – You won’t need to pay anything at the start of the claim or while it is being processed for your solicitor’s work.
- Nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful – If your claim doesn’t result in compensation, you won’t owe your solicitor a fee for their time or services.
- A capped success fee if your claim wins – If your case is successful, your solicitor will deduct a legally limited percentage from your compensation award as a success fee.
This agreement makes it possible to begin your accident abroad claim without financial risk.
Contact our team today to find out if you’re eligible to make a No Win No Fee claim and begin your journey to compensation with confidence.
Contact Our Panel Of Solicitors
We understand how overwhelming it can be to suffer an injury abroad and then have to deal with the aftermath from home. That’s why we make it easy to get started with your accident abroad claim.
Our friendly advisors are here to assess your eligibility, explain the claim process, and connect you with our panel of experienced solicitors. Get started today, the sooner you begin, the sooner you may secure the accident abroad compensation you deserve.
- Call 0333 0000729
- Fill out our ‘Contact Us‘ form
- Send a message into our live on-screen chat box
More Information
Browse some of our similar guides:
- Learn how to make a slip, trip and fall claim.
- Learn how to make a road traffic accident claim.
- Find out more about hotel accident claims.
These external resources might also give you some useful information:
- Gov.UK – foreign travel advice
- NHS – how to apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card)
- Gov.UK – how to apply for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if your injury/illness has caused you to need time off work.
When travelling overseas, you place your trust in service providers, whether that’s a hotel, transport company, excursion organiser or tour operator, to ensure your safety. If their negligent actions causes you harm, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Don’t face the battle alone. Let us help guide you through the accident abroad claims process today.
