Your guide to claims for accidents abroad

Accidents that lead to injuries are never good, and especially if they happen when you're in another country. After all, you can't always rely on everyone speaking English in Europe, and medical attention can be remarkably expensive in the USA.

However, the good news is that as long as you follow a few simple guidelines, it is usually possible to make an injury compensation claim for all of these circumstances once you are back in the UK:

• Road accidents
• Cycling accidents
• Trips and slips
• Skiing or other winter sports (or any other sporting activity)
• Accidents whilst working abroad
• Flight-related injuries
• And many more...

Even if you are still abroad as you read this, we have the expertise and the contacts to assist you with International legal representation, medical treatment and rehabilitation support anywhere in the world.

What do I do immediately after an accident abroad?

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever has happened, having evidence of where and how an injury occurred is crucial if you're to successfully claim compensation. So as soon as any injury has occurred – from a poolside slip to a minor road traffic accident – it's essential to:

• Seek medical attention: especially if you don't know how bad an injury might be, and make sure you get a copy of any medical records and x-rays
• Take photographs: of the location of the accident, making sure that if you have slipped on a wet floor, for example, the picture demonstrates an absence of warning signs, or any other relevant facts
• Get photographs: of any injury or bruising as it develops, as well as any damage to your belongings
• Alert staff or officials: and make sure that they make a record of the incident
• Get the contact details of any witnesses: it doesn't matter if they're locals or fellow Britons
• Put a report of what happened in writing: this is a good aid for your memory, and it will also be useful to email this to the venue where the incident occurred, to help create a trail of information for your claims solicitor
• Keep any receipts: these can be for medical bills, taxis, additional accommodation or any expenses that are a direct result of the accident
• Speak to a solicitor as soon as possible: you can call Slater and Gordon from abroad on +44 20 7657 1555, or tell us about your accident online and we will call you.

Who do I need to claim against for my accident abroad?

If you were in an road traffic accident, any claim will be made against the insurance company of the driver that caused the accident. However, if you booked a package holiday and have sustained an injury at your hotel or resort, this may be the responsibility of the tour operator or UK-based travel agent you booked with.

Alternatively, if you booked your accommodation directly, a claim may have to be made against the hotel or resort itself. Read more information on claiming against a hotel or resort.

What if I was injured on a flight or a cruise?

Surprisingly, many compensation claims arise from incidents and injuries occurring on aeroplanes and cruise ships. In these cases, international legal conventions can be very helpful.

Where you are injured on an aeroplane, the Montreal Convention 1999, applies, which allows you to pursue a claim from your home country and makes airlines 'strictly liable' for injuries you sustain in an accident. If you were injured on a cruise ship, the Athens Convention 1974 applies, though this does require you to prove negligence when making a claim for compensation.

How much will my accident abroad claim be worth?

There is no set rule for how much compensation you might receive for an injury abroad. This all depends on the extent of your injuries and how long it is expected that a full recovery will take.

However, in addition to damages for pain and suffering, you may also be able to claim for any loss of earnings as well as for the cost of any medical treatment or rehabilitation that may be required.

How long do I have to make an accident abroad claim?

UK law generally sets a time limit of three years from the date of an accident in which to start a claim, however this may be extended when claiming on behalf of a child or someone who lacks mental capacity.

However, the laws vary in other countries, and some compensation claims need to be made in a matter of months, so it is usually advisable to talk to us about starting a claim as soon as possible.

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How long does a accident abroad compensation claim take?

This very much depends on how serious your injuries are as well as the laws and compensation guidelines in whichever country the incident occurred.

However, we always aim to pursue justice for our clients as efficiently as possible, and will also seek to claim interim payments where your injury might cause you financial hardship, or where you need to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible.