What should I do if I am injured on holiday?

Now the sun is shining we are all looking forward to a holiday, either close by or somewhere a little more adventurous.

After a few years of travel limitations we are all excited to get back on a plane, or pitch a tent and enjoy some relaxation. However, what should you do if things go wrong and you are injured on holiday? What steps should you take to protect yourself and your loved ones?

The first thing to bear in mind that it is always best to be prepared. If you are travelling abroad make sure you have sufficient Travel and Health Insurance. Check the policies that are available carefully and choose the one that bests fits the kind of holiday you are expecting.

Some policies will protect you for adventurous activities like skiing or scuba diving, others will not. Make sure you pick the right policy, as it is important to ensure it covers you for what you need.

You may also have heard of an EHIC card. This is now being replaced by a GHIC card. This stands for ‘UK Global Health Insurance Card’ and, whilst it offers some protection , it is not the same as having travel insurance. It is always best to have the maximum protection you can, however, so be sure to get hold of one before you travel.

What do I do if I am injured when on holiday abroad?

The most important advice is stay calm!  It is easy to fall into a bigger state of panic when you are injured abroad. Mainly this is because there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to foreign healthcare systems and, as part of holiday planning, we do not tend to research how the country’s healthcare system works.

If the injury is a true emergency, most countries operate a similar emergency phone line as in the UK. If you dial ‘999’, ‘911’ or ‘112’ you should be connected to emergency help.

You should also contact your travel insurance provider as soon as you can. Most policies include a 24-hour assistance service, which will make the situation more straight forward.

You should also contact your nearest Embassy if the situation is serious. They can liaise with the various people involved and possibly even arrange an emergency evacuation. It is important to note, however, that they cannot fund any treatment or medical bills themselves.

Evidence

Whether you are holidaying in this country or abroad, it is important to collate evidence if you intend to attempt a claim for personal injury in the future. This step is particularly important if you are injured abroad, as it will be difficult to speak to the relevant people or take helpful photographs when back in the UK.

Take photographs of your injury and the accident location. Ensure the accident is reported in the accident book and keep notes of all the things that happen so you don’t forget anything in the future.

When you are back in the UK contact a solicitor swiftly. We always advise Claimants to seek advice promptly when they are involved in an accident, but when an accident happens somewhere that is not local to them, sufficient time for solicitors to gather evidence is even more important.

Above all, make sure you are fully prepared so that you can enjoy your holiday, safe in the knowledge that, if something does go wrong you will have sufficient assistance.

Further reading

Accidents Abroad – Oakwood Solicitors

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you have been injured on holiday, get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.