Holiday Accidents & Illness Claims

We could help you make a holiday compensation claim, or to claim if you were injured or suffered an illness while working abroad. Our lawyers have helped thousands to claim compensation following illness or accidents abroad in a wide range of circumstances, including:

However, this isn't an exhaustive list – accidents and illnesses can happen in a range of circumstances, so please contact us for advice on making a compensation claim.

We have the UK's largest and most successful team of lawyers specialising in making accident claims abroad, with several of our lawyers recognised internationally as leaders in the field. Our aim is to make the claims process as simple as possible for you, handling cases with a compassionate approach that puts you and your family's wellbeing first.

Most of the international personal injury claims we handle are made in England & Wales. But in some cases it may be beneficial to make your claim abroad. We can advise you on this in a free initial consultation about making a claim.

Compensation claims in England & Wales are normally funded through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there's nothing to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

Contact us on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation on your case. Alternatively, you can contact us online and we’ll get back to you. There's no obligation to continue with us after this conversation – you're free to just ask us for our advice on whether or not you can make a claim.

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Clive Garner Consultant Meet the team

Accidents And Illness Abroad Claims - More Information

I am relieved that our legal battle is finally over. Our holiday was a nightmare and we were so disappointed. We’re glad Irwin Mitchell has managed to achieve a successful outcome for us."

David, client

Jason's Story

“I just feel so lucky to be in the position that I am today. I feel like I’m able to live life to the full and I’m determined to ensure nothing holds me back in the future." – Jason

“Securing the ongoing funding for his exoskeleton was extremely important to Jason, and has enabled him to walk again; something he hasn’t been able to do since the accident" – Bronwen Lancaster, Chartered Financial Planner

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Make A Claim For Illness Or Accident Abroad?

If you've been injured or fallen ill while abroad, or if a loved one has died as the result of an illness or accident, you may be able to claim compensation.

To be able to claim, we need to prove that another party was responsible for your injury or illness. This could be through negligence, failure to follow health and safety standards, breach of foreign law or through a criminal act. We’ve helped many thousands of clients claim compensation in a range of circumstances, including:

A road traffic accident caused by someone else's reckless driving, whether it was another vehicle or a coach you were travelling in or if you were a pedestrian
Negligent care during medical treatment, such as cosmetic surgery
Slips, trips or other accidents in a hotel or on a cruise ship
Inadequately supervised or poorly instructed sporting activities
An assault, such as a mugging or sexual assault
Food poisoning caused by poor food hygiene
Failure to isolate someone who has become ill, leading to an outbreak
Illnesses caused by poorly maintained water systems, such as Legionnaires' disease
A terrorist attack
Accidents while working abroad
Accidents while skiing or other during sports activities
Poorly maintained facilities at a tourist attraction, or insufficient warning on risks or safety procedures on an excursion

You can claim whether you were working abroad, or were on holiday either as an independent traveller or as part of a package holiday.

A package holiday combines elements of transport, accommodation or entertainment in one booking. If you booked through a UK package holiday or tour provider, you may be able to claim against them instead of those responsible abroad. This is often quicker and easier and can mean more compensation for you as well – find out more in our package holiday claims guide.

If you have been injured in an assault or a terrorist attack, you may be able to claim through the UK’s Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) or local victim compensation schemes. Find out more about Assault Abroad Claims or Terrorism Abroad Claims.

If you're unsure as to whether or not you'll be able to claim, or have any questions about the claims process more generally, please feel free to give us a call on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation on your case. Alternatively, you can contact us online, and we’ll get back to you to discuss your options.

Can I Make An Accident Or Illness Abroad Claim Through The UK Courts?

You can often claim in the UK for an accident or illness that occurred abroad, though this varies depending on your circumstances. There are different rules from country to country, and the procedure for different kinds of accidents and illnesses can be different too.

You can usually claim in the UK if:

You're claiming against an individual, insurer, employer or tour operator that is based in the UK.
You're claiming against a business or individual that is based in an EU country.
You have been injured or become ill while on a package holiday.

If your accident took place outside the EU, then you may have to claim directly in that country. However, we will be able to advise you on all potential options and arrange representation for you if your claim has reasonable prospects of success.

Sometimes claiming abroad can be beneficial, as compensation levels may be higher – this can be the case in USA-based claims. Even if your claim is being made abroad instead of in the UK, it's incredibly rare that you'll personally have to go to court in another country.

We work with an international network of law firms to support and represent our clients when they need to claim around the world, so you don't need to worry about language barriers as part of your case.

The vast majority of claims are handled without the need for you to go to court. Most hearings will be conducted by your legal representative with no need for you to actually attend.

If the claim goes to a full trial, then you will need to go to court – but these cases are by far the exception rather than the norm.

If you have any questions or concerns about making a claim abroad, contact us on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation. We'll be able to advise you on your options, and talk you through the process.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For An Accident Or Illness Abroad Claim?

We understand that claiming for something that happened overseas can be daunting because of different laws, language barriers, and concerns about navigating the court process in another country.

In situations like this, it helps to have the experts on your side. Our team of international personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of clients to recover hundreds of millions of pounds in compensation for accidents and illnesses abroad.

We’ll make sure that your settlement covers the cost of any ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation you need. We’ll also help you access specialist support to help you make the best possible recovery from your injuries or illness.

Over 30 years of handling compensation claims around the world, we have dealt with many large, high-profile cases, achieving landmark settlements for a number of our clients, including:

£5.5m for almost 1000 guests who contracted serious gastric illness at the Bahia Principe Hotel in the Dominican Republic in 2007. Appalling hygiene conditions, including vermin, sewage, and undercooked food, led to an outbreak of illnesses such as salmonella and campylobacter. Read more about the story here.
Over £6m for a businessman who suffered a severe brain injury after a motorbike collision with a tractor in Germany. Previously a keen sportsman and a successful Sales Director, he was left needing daily care and unable to return to work. Read more about the compensation and care package we secured for him.
Life-changing compensation and rehabilitation for a man who was left paraplegic after a hit-and-run in Rome. The driver, a Welsh priest, was convicted of drink driving but denied liability. We secured interim funds to help our client move into an adapted home while his case was ongoing. The final settlement, out of court, was £3 million – plus more than £200,000 every year for the rest of our client’s life. Read more here.

To find out more about how to make a claim, and how we can help, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case.

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Holiday Accidents & Illness Claims

Call us for a free initial consultation

Accidents And Illness Abroad Claims - More Information

What Happens When I Make A Claim?

How Much Compensation Can I Expect?

Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim?

How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?

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