Injured Holiday Maker Wins Lengthy Legal Battle Following Fall In Lapland

A man left with on-going pain in his leg after he fell on a snow covered path during what was meant to be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip to Lapland has spoken of his relief after expert lawyers secured him a significant five figure settlement sum from his tour operator.

Jan Matecki, from Warwick, flew out with his party to Davvi Arctic Lodge in Lapland as a special treat for his 50th birthday in January 2010, but on the last day of his stay he fell on a slippery patch of compacted ice and snow that covered the walkway outside the hotel. His right leg twisted beneath him as he hit the ground causing him to suffer a fractured tibia.

After undergoing medical treatment at a nearby doctor’s clinic in Sweden, he returned to the UK, attending Warwick Hospital for a cast to be fitted to his leg. Whilst recovering from his acute injuries, he instructed international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him recover compensation to assist with his recovery.

Despite tour operator, Transun Travel Ltd, refusing to admit liability, the law firm has now secured Jan a significant five figure sum settlement for the injuries that he suffered, his medical costs and loss of earnings. As a result of his accident Mr Matecki, a self-employed Engineering Design Consultant, was absent from his work for around 3 months causing him to not only suffer a loss of earnings but also forcing him to hire additional workers to undertake his duties.

Joseph Dawson, a specialist international travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Jan, said: 

Commenting on his case, Jan, father-of-two, said: “I had always wanted to travel to Lapland and so this was a once in a lifetime trip for me as well as a special occasion celebrating my 50th birthday.

“It was clear from day one that the hotel staff did not seem at all concerned about keeping the walkways around the hotel clear from snow and ice. Having received an email from the Tour Operator immediately prior to the trip, confirming that new staff had been appointed due to a quality of services issue with the previous hotel staff, I had expected there to be a ‘Rolls Royce’ effort from them. Sadly this was not the case at all.

“I was left in agonising pain after my fall and it completely ruined the trip for me. When I returned home from the holiday I was fitted with a cast and then had regular physiotherapy sessions to help with my rehabilitation. The accident caused me to be off work for almost 3 months. Being self-employed, I was losing money and there was a constant worry that my customers may go elsewhere. In the current financial climate I could not afford to be out of work for so long without contracting in help at my own cost.

“I am pleased that now with the help of my legal team at Irwin Mitchell that I have received a settlement and I can start to put this whole ordeal behind me once and for all.”