WHAT IS A HOLIDAY ACCIDENT CLAIM?
Hurt or made ill on a package holiday? You can usually claim here in England and Wales.
A holiday accident claim is a compensation claim for an injury or illness you suffered while away — a slip in the hotel lobby, a fall at the pool, a balcony accident, food poisoning, or an injury on a booked excursion. If you booked a package holiday with a UK tour operator, you generally don't have to chase a foreign hotel or wrestle with overseas courts.
Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, your tour operator is responsible for the services in your package — even when a third party, like the hotel or excursion provider, was actually at fault. That means you can bring the claim here, in pounds, through the operator. Not sure what your injury might be worth? Try our personal injury claim calculator, or read more about an accident in a public place if your accident happened somewhere open to the public.
What you can claim for
Slips, trips and falls
Wet hotel floors, broken tiles, poorly lit stairs or unmarked steps that left you injured.
Pool and water accidents
Slippery poolsides, faulty diving boards, missing depth markings or unsupervised hazards.
Food poisoning and illness
Salmonella, E. coli or norovirus from undercooked or poorly handled hotel buffet food.
Balcony and building falls
Low railings, broken balustrades and unsafe stairs in hotels and resorts.
Excursion and activity injuries
Quad bikes, boat trips, watersports and tours booked as part of your package.
Losses and expenses
Lost earnings, medical and travel costs, care, and the value of the holiday you missed.
You may have a claim if…
Your accident or illness happened within the last 3 years (different rules can apply to non-package and overseas trips — always get advice early)
You booked a package holiday with a UK tour operator (flight plus hotel, or hotel plus another service, sold together)
Someone else's negligence caused it — an unsafe hotel, dangerous poolside, or poorly run excursion
You have something to show what happened — photos, a report to the rep or hotel, medical records or witness details
How your claim works
01
Free consultation
Tell us what happened in a free, no-obligation chat. We'll explain whether you can claim and what it could be worth.
02
No Win No Fee setup
We sign you up on a No Win No Fee agreement and gather your evidence — booking details, photos, medical records and reports.
03
We build your case
We notify the tour operator, obtain medical evidence on your injuries and negotiate firmly for full compensation on your behalf.
04
You're compensated
We settle your claim and make sure you receive what you're owed for your injury, your losses and your spoiled holiday.
Holiday accident claim FAQs
Is a holiday accident claim really No Win No Fee?+
Yes. We run holiday accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis, so there's nothing to pay upfront and no fee at all if your claim doesn't succeed. If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation — capped at 25% of certain damages for personal injury claims. We'll explain every figure in plain English before you sign anything.
How long do I have to make a holiday accident claim?+
In England and Wales you usually have 3 years from the date of the accident or illness to start a claim. The position can differ for accidents on independent (non-package) trips abroad, where foreign time limits and laws may apply — sometimes much shorter. Because of this, it's best to contact us as soon as you can.
Can I claim for an accident or illness abroad on a package holiday?+
Often, yes. If you booked a package holiday with a UK tour operator, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 make the operator responsible for the services in your package. That usually lets you bring your claim here in England and Wales against the operator, rather than suing a foreign hotel in an overseas court.
What should I do straight after a holiday accident?+
Report it to the hotel and your holiday rep and ask for a written record. Take photos of what caused the accident, get the names and contact details of any witnesses, and see a doctor so your injuries are documented. Keep receipts, your booking confirmation and any correspondence — this evidence makes your claim far stronger.
Does it matter if I booked the trip myself rather than as a package?+
Yes, it can. Package holidays booked through a UK operator are covered by the 2018 Regulations, which usually keeps the claim here. Independent or DIY trips — separate flights and hotels booked yourself — work differently and may have to be pursued under the law of the country where it happened. We'll look at exactly how you booked and advise on the best route.
How much compensation could I receive for a holiday accident?+
It depends on how serious your injury is, how long you're affected, and your financial losses such as lost earnings, medical bills and the holiday you couldn't enjoy. Awards for the injury itself are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines. We'll give you a realistic estimate once we understand your situation — a solicitor should review the specifics before relying on any figure.
FREE CLAIM CHECK
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