An accident or illness on holiday can leave you with more than just ruined plans—it can cause pain, financial loss, and ongoing hardship. If you’ve suffered an injury or illness while travelling abroad due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

A holiday accident claim allows you to recover damages for medical costs, lost earnings, and the impact on your life.

Different laws apply depending on where and how the accident happened, which can make the claims process complex. That’s why it’s important to use experienced accident abroad solicitors like us, who understand both local and international laws, so your claim is handled correctly under the right legal framework.

Injuries and illnesses on holiday can range from mild to life-changing. Some may require only brief medical attention, while others can lead to long-term complications. No matter how serious, if your injury or illness was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

• Slips, trips or fall injuries
• Head injuries and concussions
• Burns or scarring
• Road traffic accidents
• Spinal cord injuries
• Food poisoning and serious stomach illnesses
• Drowning and near-drowning incidents
• Infections and diseases
• Excursion related injuries

In the most tragic cases, holiday accidents can result in fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to negligence abroad, contact our solicitors who can help you seek justice through a fatal accident claim.

Accidents can happen anywhere while on holiday—at your hotel, by the pool, on excursions, in restaurants, or on transport. Many incidents are preventable and occur due to unsafe conditions or negligence.

Identifying the cause of your accident is the first step in holding the responsible party accountable:

• Slips, trips, and falls – Wet floors without warning signs, uneven pavements, poorly maintained staircases, or loose carpeting in hotels and public areas can lead to serious injuries.
• Unsafe hotel conditions – Faulty balconies, loose railings, broken furniture, poor lighting, or exposed electrical wiring can create dangerous hazards for guests.
• Poor food hygiene – Undercooked food, food stored at incorrect temperatures, or contaminated water in hotels and restaurants can cause food poisoning and severe stomach illnesses.
• Lack of pool safety – Unsupervised swimming areas, missing lifeguards, or defective pool equipment like broken ladders or unmarked deep ends can result in drowning incidents or serious injuries.
• Negligent excursion providers – Poorly trained staff, lack of safety briefings, or substandard equipment on activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, or quad biking can put holidaymakers at risk.
• Road traffic accidents – Tourists can be injured due to reckless local drivers, poorly maintained rental vehicles, lack of seatbelts, or dangerous road conditions.

The time limit for making a holiday accident claim depends on the type of holiday and where the accident happened:

• Accidents from UK-booked package holidays typically have a three-year time limit.
• Under international law, cruise ship claims may have a two-year time limit.
• Injuries on flights fall under the Montreal Convention, with a two-year time limit.

For holidays booked independently, the time limit depends on local laws in the country where the accident happened. These time limits can be strict, so we always encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you think you have a claim.

The amount of compensation you could receive for a holiday accident claim depends on the severity of your injury, its impact on your daily life and any financial losses you have suffered. Compensation typically covers pain and suffering, as well as medical expenses, lost earnings and travel costs etc.

While every case is different, typical payouts for holiday accident claims include:

• Minor food poisoning or stomach illness – up to £8,000
• Fractures or broken bones – up to £50,000, depending on severity
• Head injuries and concussions – up to £47,000 for severe cases
• Serious burns or scarring – up to £9,000 for trivial facial scarring

If your accident resulted in long-term health issues or a fatal injury, additional compensation may be available for ongoing care, lost financial support, or bereavement damages.

To find out what your claim could be worth, contact us today for a free consultation.