On average, 30 million people in the UK go on holiday each year. Whether travelling to popular destinations within Europe or venturing further afield to more adventurous locations, holiday accidents can occur to anyone at any time. Knowing the most common type of accidents and their cause whilst on holiday can minimise your risk, ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
It goes without saying that your choice of destination influences your likelihood of having an accident whilst on holiday. In recent years, the rise of low cost airlines has meant an increase in people travelling to popular European destinations for city breaks or seaside sun with relative ease. These destinations are usually considered fairly tourist-friendly, and have suitable amenities and infrastructure to offer visitors an exciting and stress-free holiday. This is especially true with package holidays, which include flights, accommodation and often meals, making the holiday experience as fuss-free as possible. Other travellers prefer more adventurous destinations. Travelling to remote locations in potentially dangerous climates can cause strain on a traveller. In the event of a holiday accident occurring in a remote location, it can often be harder to seek medical assistance. As well as coping with extreme weather conditions, such as monsoons or hurricanes, changes in the quality of the water or the nature of the food can cause health problems ranging from minor to extreme. Food poisoning is, unsurprisingly, one of the most common reasons for claiming holiday accident compensation. It is useful to consider, however, your general health and the nature of your insurance cover before venturing away from urban amenities.
The activities that you choose to undertake during your trip also influence your chances of contracting a holiday accident. Adventure sports such as scuba diving, skiing, sky diving and other adventure sports may put you in exceptional situations in which you could be at risk of an accident. For example, the average death rate of parachuting is 30 in every 100,000 jumps, whilst mountain climbing is 50 in 100,000, and 47 deaths in 100,000 result from scuba diving. Although fatalities from these problems seem relatively rare, accidents are much more common. Before voluntarily undertaking any of these activities, ensure that you understand all the risks involved and can competently use any specialist safety equipment associated with the activity. Also ensure that any activity undertaken is done so with a registered company; if you at all doubt the credibility of organization, the only way you can full ensure your safety is to withdraw from the activity.
Travelling with children may be a potential hazard for holidaygoers. Although most popular destinations are now well-equipped to deal with children and can offer assistance at restaurants and hotels, travelling in busy, unfamiliar cities can be frightening at times, offering new challenges to parents. Accidents with children can occur anywhere, from children falling over in the street to food poisoning in restaurants. Many pools associated with hotels are not equipped with lifeguards, so supervising children in the pool is essential if you do not intend to swim with your children. To reduce your chance of having a holiday accident involving your child, remain aware on busy streets, take out travel insurance and if at all unsure, do not travel with your child.
It is important to plan ahead for holiday accidents: taking out comprehensive travel insurance, for example. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your contract to ensure that it covers you for any activities that you hope to undertake. More than this, however, you should consider how you might act in the case of an emergency, making sure you have the local numbers for the emergency services. If staying in a hotel, the staff should alert you to any fire regulations required by the building and what to do in the case of an emergency.
Most holiday accidents are normal incidents which could affect individuals at any time. Common claims include slipping on swimming pool steps or falling down hotel stairs. Although some holiday accidents can include more specialist claims, often the most common are simple mistakes that we can all make on an everyday basis. If you have been injured in an accident whilst on holiday, contact Macks Solicitors today to learn if you could be entitled to compensation.
Man wins holiday accident compensation claim for broken leg
A holiday accident compensation claim can be made for a variety of reasons – injuries included. This means that if a person is injured as a result of poor treatment or negligence, then the establishment in charge should be held responsible.
If a wet floor, for example, has caused an individual to break their leg, then this individual is entitled to make a claim against the establishment or accommodation if they so wish to. It is an injustice if a person suffers an injury when on holiday due to poor hospitality care and a lack of health and safety checks.
Welsh Tourist Injured in Holiday Accident
A tourist from Wales has been seriously injured whilst on holiday in Magaluf. The 28-year-old was on the first day of his holiday when he slipped by the swimming pool, hit his head and almost drowned in the water. His friend found him a few minutes later, motionless in the pool.
Scuba Deaths Cause Holiday Accident Nightmare
Water safety charities have expressed concern about the level of training given to divers as three more deaths have occurred in under a month. The victims are all men, and as yet unnamed until official inquests have been completed.
Holiday Accidents – Accommodation, Equipment, Boilers etc
When you turn up at your destination, whatever accommodation you are in, you hope it will not only be clean and inviting but well constructed, laid out and maintained. Unfortunately, sometimes this is not the case and shoddily constructed, poorly planned and badly maintained accommodation is often the cause of holiday accidents.
Accidents on Airplanes and Accidents in Airports
Airports and airlines work hard to maintain high standards of service and safety and air travel is still considered to be one of the safest means of transport.
Car and Coach Accidents on Holiday
Road traffic accidents can happen anywhere and at any time and when you are driving abroad while on holiday is no exception. Of the thousands of people who are involved in car accidents abroad very few will know that they can make a claim for any injuries they have suffered in a car accident on holiday abroad.
Cruise compensation claims
Holidays on board cruise ships have become immensely popular over the last few years. The combination of luxury accommodation, first class food and entertainment combined with the opportunity to travel to different locations while remaining in the same ‘hotel’ is a large part of their appeal.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas, colloquially known as the silent killer because it is tasteless, odourless, colourless and non-irritating. It is still a problem here in the UK as every year around 50 people are killed from carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty heating systems, which is almost one person every week. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion. This means that when organic matter is burned in the presence of oxygen it produces carbon dioxide which in small quantities is harmless. However if the supply of oxygen is restricted then carbon monoxide is formed instead.
Accidents at Swimming Pools
There are a number of regulations covering swimming pools in the UK intended to ensure that users are able to enjoy them safely and without risk of injury or illness.
