Our Summer Holiday themed Blog series continues, giving you the information you need to ensure that if you are unlucky enough to suffer misfortune on holiday, it doesn't become a crisis!
So far this summer, we've covered;
Read through the posts for useful hints, tips and checklists to make sure you and your familiy remember your Summer for all the right reasons!
You can subscribe to future posts by putting your email address in the "Subscribe via Email" box on the right of this page.
Sports Accidents Abroad
Whilst most sports and leisure activities come with a certain 'acceptable' level of risk, it seems that as soon as we go on holiday, the level of risk we deem 'acceptable' suddenly increases and we become open to all manner of activities on holiday, that we'd never entertain at home.
We ski faster, jump further, climb higher... and are far less aware of the level of health and safety standards we might take for granted at home.
If you booked your holiday as part of a package (where at least two elements of the holiday were booked at the same time and through a UK company) then it’s possible you may have booked activities at the same time - putting your trust in the reputation of the company you booked with, trusting them to ensure that any such activites are operated in a safe environment. We book such activities assuming that any equipment used will be in good condition and those managing these activities have been well trained - and most of the time our trust is well-placed.
Most of the time.
Unfortunately it isn’t always the case and any resulting sporting injuries such as a broken wrist or ankle, can have a major effect on your holiday, with possible high medical bills and additional travel expenses.
Be Prepared
It’s important to make sure that your travel insurance covers the sporting activities you intend to take part in - or are likely to take part in given the opportunity. The most comprehensive travel insurance policies will offer at least £2 million of medical cover and include the cost of an air ambulance to get you home, should this be required.
Be prepared however; even with travel insurance you will normally be expected to pay for minor claims, though you may be abl to claim the money back for them when you get home, so make sure you keep receipts for any money you spend as a result of your sporting accident.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
We talked about the EHIC in our last post which included lots of helpful tips and a checklist to ensure you're well prepared before heading off on Holiday.
The card covers the cost of healthcare in some European countries, whilst in others ou may have to pay for your treatment and then claim some or all of the money back. Each individual member of your party will need one. Find out more about the EHIC on the NHS website site
If you have to pay for treatment and are entitled to the money back, you should try and make a claim while you’re still abroad.
What To Do If You Have a Sporting Accident on Holiday
If you’ve suffered from a sporting injury abroad, be it cycling, jet skiing or paragliding through to more casual activities such as use of hotel swimming pool, gym or tennis courts, then it’s important to do the following:
- Report the accident to the organiser of the activity
- Report the accident to your package organiser’s representative
- If there is no rep, then report it to the organisers head office in the UK
- Ensure the accident is recorded in any available accident book & ask for a copy of the entry
- Seek medical assistance, ask for a copy of the medical report and keep any receipts for medical charges. If you don’t get medical help it may affect a claim for compensation when you get home.
- Contact your travel insurance company (if you have one) – some policies have very strict time limits for notifications.
- Get the names & addresses of anyone who witnessed the accident
- Take photographs of what caused your accident / injury
As we have said in previous holiday accident posts, if you are travelling as part of a package deal then you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim against the package organiser. For them to be held responsible your accident needs to have happened during an activity that was included as part of your package. Additional activities booked whilst on the holiday are not included in this.
An example would be if an accident occurred, due to negligence, on a bike ride that was included as part of the package you purchased in the UK. However, if you arranged it independently, or booked it through the hotel while on holiday, then the package organiser would not be liable.
If you are not travelling as part of a package deal it is still possible to bring a case abroad against the company running the activity or an individual who caused the accident. As international law varies from country to country, and there can be strict time limitations, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
We Can Help
If you have suffered a sporting injury abroad then you may be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation. Our friendly specialist advisors can talk to you about your situation and see if you have a valid compensation claim. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
If You Have a Genuine Claim, Contact a Genuine Company.
May I Claim, is a trading name of R Costings Limited and our CRM number is 25770
If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered an injury - you can trust us to handle your claim professionally.
Call us now on 0800 756 7774 and talk to us to find out if you have a claim - or fill in our Quick Claim form (on the right of this page).
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/310569/Holiday-Sports-Injuries-Be-Prepared-Just-in-Case
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