Can I Claim From Being Ill On Holiday? What You Need To Know

If you’ve suffered from food poisoning while on holiday, or had an accident that wasn’t your fault while abroad, then you may be able to make a claim. There are many different things to consider when it comes to claiming while being on holiday, as the success of the claim will be dependent on the proof that you are able to provide. Here, we’ve put together a list of the things that you need to know, after being ill on holiday.

Types Of Illnesses/Injuries On Holiday

One of the most common illnesses picked up on holiday is food poisoning, however there are numerous other injuries that you may want to claim for. For example, you may experience being badly burned in the hotel restaurant. With the burn injury compensation calculator remaining dependant on the individual’s burn, there is a chance that you could receive a substantial amount of income. Other types of injuries/illnesses that could occur on holiday include slips and falls, bacterial infections, typhoid, norovirus, and legionnaires’ disease. If you have a strong enough case regarding any of the above listed, then you may be able to make a legitimate claim for compensation.

Legal Support When Making A Claim

Interestingly, there are numerous regulations that can provide you with legal support if you are considering making a claim. The two main regulations that you may be able to use include The Package Travel Regulations Act 1992, and The Athens Convention 1974.

The Package Travel Regulations Act 1992 will cover holidaymakers who have fallen ill on a package or all-inclusive holiday, and it is proven that the holiday provider is in fact at fault. Interestingly, this regulation lengthens time restrictions, with holidaymakers having up to 3 years to make a claim if they have fallen ill while on a package or all-inclusive holiday. There are various definitions of what a ‘package’ holiday is, so it is important to check the regulation itself prior to making a claim.

The Athens Convention 1974 on the other hand, is related to cruise holidays, where you have suffered an injury or an illness on the cruise. In this case, you will have to ensure that you are able to prove your illness or injury was in fact a direct result of lack of care of the cruise line.

How Much You Will Receive When You Make A Claim

This is one of the most commonly asked questions, but there are different circumstances which can dictate the amount you will receive after a claim. The amount that you will receive once a viable claim has been made, will ultimately depend on any specific details of the case, and also the severity of your illness. For example, mild food poisoning, which is proved to be a result of the hotel, and continues for seven days or more, could provide you with anywhere up to £3000. If, however, you have experienced hospitalisation as a result of your illness or injury from holiday, then you could seek to obtain even more, with some claims bringing in up to £40,000.

Understanding the steps on how to claim from being ill on holiday is important, and knowing the regulations to help you is just as important. If you’ve suffered from an injury or illness, then discuss what your rights are with a solicitor today.