Accident or illness whilst on a Package Holiday

Going on holiday is something that many of us look forward to and getting away somewhere hot and sunny is the highlight of the year. Unfortunately, if you are involved in some sort of accident and are injured as a result, this can be the only memory you take away with you and can ruin the whole experience.

Historically, you would have had to have pursued a holiday claim in that country and this made things very difficult, inconvenient and was expensive. However, since the Package Holiday, the Package Travel and the Package Tour Regulations 1992 you can now pursue your claim for compensation through the English Courts making the process of far more accessible and easier. These regulations are only applicable if you have booked your holiday through a UK tour operator.

What are the Regulations?

The Package Holiday, the Package Travel and the Package Tour Regulations 1992 state that a package deal must consist of two of the three things listed below:

• Accommodation
• Transport
• Any type of excursion, trip or arranged activity

These regulations were introduced in order to allow you the opportunity to pursue a claim for compensation against the tour operator in the UK that organised an activity as part of the package holiday where you sustained an injury.

Additionally, hotels are also required to comply with relevant Health and Safety guidelines. Therefore, if you are injured in a hotel that has been booked as part of your package holiday, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

If you have had a slip, trip or fall whilst in the hotel you were staying in and believe that this could have been prevented then you can claim compensation for your injury. You need to see that the hoteliers have made all precautions to prevent accidents and these may include:

• Sufficient lighting
• Maintenance is carried out and up to date
• Floors are not left wet or slippery after a spillage or cleaning

If you have had any sort of illness as a result of the hotels negligence, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Some examples of illnesses you may contract are listed below:

• Food poisoning e.g. E-coli, Salmonella
• Legionnaires disease

To help your case it can assist your solicitor if you follow these steps, but always check with your solicitor what they require:

• Report it to your Holiday Representative
• Report it to the hotel
• If there is an accident book available, record your incident in it
• Take photographs
• Make note of anything occurring to you at the time of the accident
• Obtain medical treatment as soon as possible
• Go to your own GP on your return 

If you have suffered an injury whilst on a package holiday, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Contact Accident Line and we will put you in touch with a local specialist solicitor who will advise you. Alternatively, you can use our find my local 'Injury Solicitors' section and contact your local Accident Line solicitor