Our Holiday Accident Solicitors are by your side supporting you after an accident abroad.
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Booking a holiday is something we all look forward to, so when that time away is interrupted by an unexpected accident or illness, the distress and disruption can feel overwhelming, especially when it happens in a foreign country, where language barriers and unfamiliar healthcare add to the anxiety.
At Lanyon Bowdler, we understand how traumatic this experience can be, and we’re here to help you reclaim more than just compensation — we help you regain control and peace of mind. If you’ve been injured abroad through no fault of your own, whether while on a package holiday, a cruise, or a private trip, our experienced Holiday Accident Solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
With our long record of sucess in highy-value accident abroad injury claims, we have have developed an established network with foreign law advisors, so our support of you and your injury claim can start as soon as your need requires. If you have been injured while on a package holiday, we are able to manage the communication between parties such as foreign managers, travel agencies, and third parties involved in the accident.
Talk to us today for immediate support.
It may seem like claiming compensation for an accident or illness abroad is hugely complicated, with different laws and languages adding to the confusion, but our specialists are experienced in dealing with these types of claims and will liaise with all the necessary organisations involved on your behalf.
Lanyon Bowdler is recognised by both The Legal 500 and Chambers UK for the strength and sensitivity of our personal injury team. Our solicitors offer not just legal expertise, but genuine support during a difficult time. We pride ourselves on a tailored approach that treats every client as an individual — understanding your experience in full, and ensuring that your voice is heard.
Whether your claim involves illness from contaminated food, a slip by the pool, or an accident during an excursion, we will help you build a compelling case. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so you can begin your claim with confidence and without financial risk.
Holiday accident claims cover a wide variety of injuries and illnesses suffered while travelling abroad. These claims are usually brought when your accident was caused by someone else’s failure to meet a legal duty of care — often a tour operator, hotel, transport company, or excursion provider.
You may be entitled to claim if your accident happened:
It’s important to remember that even though the accident occurred abroad, your claim can often be brought through the courts in England and Wales — especially if you were on a package holiday.
If you booked a package holiday (typically a combination of flights, accommodation and/or activities sold at an inclusive price), your rights are protected under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
These regulations mean that your UK-based tour operator is legally responsible for the proper performance of the services they have arranged. If you suffered an accident or illness due to a breach in safety standards or poor management of your package holiday, you may be entitled to bring a claim directly against that operator here in the UK.
Our team has significant experience in handling claims under these regulations and will help determine if your circumstances fall within this legal framework.
The nature of accidents abroad can vary widely, and each case is unique. Some of the more common claims we assist with include:
Improper food storage or preparation can result in serious bacterial infections such as salmonella, E. coli or norovirus. These can lead to long periods of illness, dehydration, and in severe cases, hospitalisation or long-term complications.
These may involve coaches, shuttle buses, taxis or privately arranged excursions — whether on land, sea or air. If your injury occurred while using a form of transport organised through your holiday provider, you may be able to claim.
Accidents often occur in airports, or on planes for flights to and from holiday destinations
Injuries aboard cruise ships fall under the Athens Convention, which provides a specific legal route for passengers injured at sea. We have the expertise to manage such claims and help navigate the complex legal issues involved.
If you were hurt during an organised activity such as water sports, guided tours, or day trips included as part of your package, your tour operator may still hold responsibility — particularly where safety measures were lacking or briefings were not provided.
Accidents caused by wet tiles, unmarked hazards, faulty staircases, or poor lighting are common. Where these result from negligent upkeep or a failure to warn of risks, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Lanyon Bowdler, we take care to ensure that the process of claiming doesn’t add to your stress. From the very first conversation, we listen carefully, offer clear advice, and take time to explain your options.
Many people don’t realise that they are eligible for compensation even when an accident takes place on foreign soil. The specialists at Lanyon Bowdler are experienced and have a track record of success supporting clients who have been injured abroad.
Our team of experienced lawyers will guide you through the process in a sensitive way to ensure you claim the compensation you deserve.
We’ll help you to understand if you have the legal basis for a case, and if so, we’ll assist you to gather all the necessary information to make a successful claim.
We’ll provide you with a free initial consultation so you can ask any questions you may have and so that we can fully understand the details of what’s happened to you.
As part of our comprehensive service to you, we will:
One of the reasons for our success is the number of contacts our personal injury claims solicitors have developed with foreign law advisors. If you have been injured while on a package holiday, we are able to manage the communication between parties such as foreign managers, travel agencies, and third parties involved in the accident.
It may seem like claiming compensation for an accident or illness abroad is hugely complicated, with different laws and languages adding to the confusion, but our specialists are experienced in dealing with these types of claims and will liaise with all the necessary organisations involved on your behalf.
The Personal Injury Team is recognised in Tier 2 for the West Midlands in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500, which states ‘The ‘very client-centred’ team at Lanyon Bowdler is ably led by Dawn Humphries who is based at the Shrewsbury office. Humphries excels in serious brain and spinal injuries. She is also well-regarded for her work on employers’ liability claims that arise from accidents at work, particularly at construction sites. Telford-based Debbie Humphries is recommended for her representation of clients who have sustained life-changing injuries. Phillip Roberts is at the Hereford office, and has particular experience in areas such as accident at work cases and loss of limbs claims. Associate Karen Clarke is another notable member of the practice’.
Work highlights:
Represented claimant in PI claim against a well-known sporting activities franchise, where claimant sustained a C5 fracture of the neck rendering him tetraplegic, resulting in a claim estimated to be worth over £10m.
Represented claimant in PI claim against employer, having sustained fractures to L2, 3, 4 and 5 after falling from a roof. Contentious evidence in respect of quantum led to negotiations which successfully secured a £500,000 settlement for the client.
Represented claimant via their litigation friend in a PI claim against a defendant driver, successfully negotiating a settlement of £2.9m ahead of a liability trial.
Chambers UK 2025 rank the department in Band 1 and state ‘The firm is particularly experienced in acting for clients with spinal and cerebral injuries. Also skilled in handling military cases, and works alongside clinical negligence and Court of Protection teams to fully support clients.’
Strengths
“The team are always friendly and nothing is a problem for them.”
“All communication was appropriately fast and always put into suitable non-legal layman terms.”
Notable practitioners
Dawn Humphries – Band 2
Dawn Humphries handles a wide range of orthopaedic and spinal injury claims. She is active on an array of personal injury cases, including those relating to workplace accidents and RTAs.
“Dawn is empathetic and sympathetic but very calmly assertive when it came to pushing back onto defence.”
“She is really on the ball and is open to having a discussion on how to improve the case.”
Debbie Humphries – Band 2
Debbie Humphries is highlighted for her experience in handling a full range of severe injury matters, including motor incidents and accidents at work.
“Debbie supports her clients with a balance of compassion and sector knowledge.”
Where an accident occurs in another country, there are certain rules to establish whether you can bring the case within the courts of England and Wales. Lanyon Bowdler’s personal injury specialists have supported people who have been involved in accidents in various locations abroad and so are well-versed in the intricacies of dealing with claims in foreign countries.
The specialist solicitors here at Lanyon Bowdler will be able to advise whether your holiday can legally be defined as a package and what the best way forward will be to claim the maximum amount of accident abroad compensation.
It is likely that the law of the country where the accident took place will apply to some aspects of your case. This can mean you only have a year – or sometimes even less – to bring the claim to the courts, so it is really important to speak to a solicitor as soon as you can once you are back home. Which law applies to the case also requires careful consideration as there are a number of exceptions to the general rule.
In most cases, advice may be needed from a foreign lawyer, and our specialists have excellent relationships with expert lawyers and barristers from all over the world who will be able to help with your claim.
Holidays are precious, and we understand the huge disappointment when a holiday is ruined due to accident or illness, through no fault of your own.
Unfortunately, we cannot of course recreate your perfect holiday, but we can take care of a compensation claim for you – helping to pay for damages and any medical fees relating to your accident or illness.
If you are injured or become ill while on a package holiday, you may be protected by The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, known as the ‘Brexit Regulations’ for EEA or EU countries. This means the UK-based tour operator or travel agency may be held directly responsible and a claim may be made in the English courts.
A holiday is defined as a ‘package holiday’ when at least two or more different types of travel service for the trip are bought together – such as a flight, coach or train (but not transfers from an airport), and accommodation (such as a hotel, villa or apartment) and car rental.
As booking websites have deals with attractive discounts on offer, buying accommodation, travel, and sometimes activities all together is very common.
The specialist lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler will be able to advise whether your holiday can legally be defined as a package – and what the best way forward will be to claim the maximum amount of compensation.
Despite package holidays being governed by English law, it can still be important to seek expert advice from foreign lawyers and other professionals. Our lawyers are highly experienced at dealing with claims of this type.
Yes, although the process may be different. If you booked elements of your trip separately — such as flights, accommodation, or excursions — your claim will typically be against the individual provider responsible for the negligence, rather than a UK tour operator. These claims can be more complex, as they may involve foreign legal systems. However, our solicitors are experienced in handling such matters and can advise you on the best course of action, including when claims need to be pursued under international conventions or local law.
For a claim to be successful it is important to prove that your injuries were caused by someone else. In order to do this, you do the following:
The compensation you might receive for an injury or illness abroad is dependent on factors including the nature of your accident, the extent of your injuries, how long it will take to make a full recovery, loss of earnings, and the cost of any medical treatment. The right level of compensation will take into account your pain and suffering, including emotional distress as well as any tangible expenses you have incurred.
Depending on the nature of your claim, you may also be able to recover:
If you have been involved in an accident involving a group of people while travelling abroad, such as a coach crash, the team here at Lanyon Bowdler could act for all of the injured parties to claim accidents abroad compensation.
These cases are known as group actions, and need a high level of organisation and efficiency – something that our accidents abroad specialists are very experienced in.
One high-profile case which Lanyon Bowdler specialists were instrumental in, was a coach crash in the French Alps involving 23 people. The team successfully recovered more than £1.3 million in damages for the victims, one of whom had a serious brain injury with many others suffering from orthopaedic and whiplash injuries.
If you have concerns that your illness was due to poor hygiene in a hotel or restaurant, it is likely that other customers have become ill too and it might even be possible for you to make a group claim with other affected holidaymakers. Talk to other guests and find out if they have also become sick.
If you discover others with similar experience, take their contact details and ask if they would be willing to provide a supporting statement. Group compensation claims are particularly effective in the case of food poisoning.
Yes, if your allergic reaction was the result of negligence — such as being served food containing allergens despite making your dietary needs clear — you may be eligible to claim. This applies whether you were eating in a hotel, restaurant, or as part of an excursion. Establishing liability in allergic reaction claims depends on the circumstances, including what information was provided and whether appropriate safety steps were taken. Our team can assess your case and help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Yes, we understand how devastating it is when a loved one is seriously injured or passes away while abroad. In these tragic cases, claims can often be made on behalf of the injured person or their family — especially when the accident was caused by negligence. These claims can include compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and financial contributions, in addition to covering travel or repatriation costs. Our solicitors are here to handle these sensitive matters with care and compassion.
The first thing you should do if you have an accident or suffer from an illness abroad is to seek medical treatment. There are a few other steps you can take to ensure you have all the information you’ll need to make a compensation claim.
Seek medical treatment
Your health and optimal recovery are of course the most important things to consider no matter what the circumstances. Visit the local hospital or GP Practice, make sure the treatment is recorded and that you are given a copy of the report. Keep a record of any medication you are given and any costs associated with these including travel costs.
Report the incident
Inform a holiday rep if you have one or report the incident to a responsible person on the premises. Make sure the accident is registered in their logbook and keep the names and contact details of the people you talk to.
Take photos and/or videos
It is important to keep a record of what exactly caused your accident. The easiest way to do so is with photos and videos. Include close-ups and other objects in the scene to demonstrate the size and scale of any defects which caused the accident.
Talk to witnesses
If anyone saw what happened, be sure to get their names, contact details and if possible their agreement to be contacted to make a statement at a later date.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident — or from the date you became aware that your injury was caused by negligence — to bring a claim. This time limit can vary if the claim involves a child or someone without mental capacity, and different timeframes may apply to accidents on cruise ships or in countries with their own legal rules. For that reason, it’s important to seek advice as soon as you are able. We can help you understand the relevant time limits and ensure your claim is submitted on time.
It’s highly unlikely. Most claims for accidents on package holidays are brought against UK-based tour operators under UK law, meaning your case can be handled entirely from home. If further evidence or assessments are needed — such as a medical report — we will arrange for these to take place locally. In very rare cases where claims involve independent providers and local court processes, we will explore every option to minimise disruption, and ensure you are fully supported at every stage.
If you’ve suffered an injury or illness on holiday, don’t delay seeking advice. Claims of this nature are often time-sensitive, and early legal advice can make all the difference. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, we’re here to offer guidance with no pressure and no commitment.
Lanyon Bowdler has offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy in North Wales, covering Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales, and the Midlands. As on the the country’s leading firms of personal injury solicitors, we regularly act for clients on Holiday Accident Claims in Birmingham, Worcester, Wolverhampton, and across the surrounding areas. As a leading national law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.
We listen. We care. And we’re ready to stand by you.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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