What to do if you get injured on holiday? Learn how to protect yourself and make informed decisions to ensure a smooth recovery process. 

Being injured abroad is stressful, but a calm, methodical approach helps you protect your rights, receive the medical treatment you need, and—if appropriate—make a claim. Use the step‑by‑step guidance below to find the right help, gather evidence, and understand how claims are dealt with in the UK and overseas.

What To Do If You Get Injured On Holiday: Quick checklist

• Get to safety and call the local emergency number (often 112 in many countries).
• Seek appropriate medical attention and ask for copies of all records.
• Contact your travel insurance insurer as soon as possible; note your policy number.
• Report the incident to the hotel, tour operator, activity provider, airline or cruise company.
• Gather evidence: photos, witness contact details, accident reports, and receipts.
• Keep a diary of treatment, symptoms, severity, and expenses.
• Get independent legal advice—especially for a personal injury claim or accident abroad.
• Consider medical repatriation and follow‑up care when you return to England and Wales (or your home country).

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Seek Appropriate Medical Attention

Your health comes first. Get assessed by a doctor and follow recommended treatment. Ask for:

• A diagnosis and medical treatment plan (and any “fit‑to‑fly” notes if you’re travelling soon).
• Copies of scans, test results, and discharge summaries—in English if possible, or request translations.
• Itemised receipts for all medical costs, prescriptions, and equipment you receive.

Tip: In the EU/EEA, a valid GHIC/EHIC can help with state‑provided cover. Outside Europe, travel insurance is usually key—some hospitals expect payment before treatment.

While in care, speak up about allergies, current medication, and any injuries from earlier incidents (for example, a prior accident or a work‑related condition). Keep notes on pain levels and the severity of your injury each day—small details are important later.

Contact Your Travel Insurance Provider

Once stable, contact your insurance company (or assistance line) quickly—many policies require prompt notice after an incident to maintain cover.

Have these details ready:

• Policy number, destination, dates of your trip, and contact number abroad.
• What happened, where, when, and who may be responsible (e.g., hotel, excursion company).
• The treatment you’ve had and estimated costs, with copies of receipts.
• Names and contact details for witnesses and local authorities (police, clinic, embassy).

Ask your insurer what is authorised or requires pre‑approval (e.g., scans, hospital transfers, medical treatment, or medical repatriation). Keep a log of every call and email. If you later make a claim, these records show you followed the right steps.

Gather Evidence Of The Accident

Solid evidence strengthens any personal injury claim:

• Photographs & video: the exact location, hazards, lighting, footwear, signage, weather—“what went wrong.”
• Witnesses: get names, email, and local phone numbers.
• Official reports: police reference numbers; hotel or tour operator incident reports.
• Paper trail: medical notes, prescriptions, receipts, and travel itineraries.
• CCTV or body‑cam: ask the company promptly; footage can be overwritten in days.
• Diary: pain, treatment, missed activities or work, and how the injury affects daily things (sleep, mobility).

Example: For a pool‑side slip, capture floor condition, mats, warning signs, cleaning logs (ask the hotel), footwear tread, and lighting. Take wide shots and close‑ups from several angles.

Report The Incident

Report to every relevant party as soon as possible:

With their expertise and guidance, you can be assured of support every step of the way. It is essential to seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in personal injury claims. They can help you understand the process involved and the legal implications of your situation.

• Hotel reception/management (get a written incident report and a copy).
• Your tour operator or package organiser.
• Activity provider/excursion host (diving school, ski guide, theme park).
• Transport providers (airline, cruise line, coach firm).
• Local police where appropriate (e.g., road traffic accidents).

A formal written record reduces disputes about whether an accident happened and helps insurers understand what caused the injury. Check the report wording carefully before you sign, and correct any errors in the details.

Your Rights If You’re Injured Abroad (England & Wales focus)

Laws and rules vary by country, but these common UK routes may apply:

Package holiday bookings

If you booked a package holiday with a UK organiser, you may be able to bring aspects of a claim for an accident in England and Wales under the Package Travel Regulations. Liability often considers local safety standards in the place of performance, but proceedings and making a claim can sometimes be done at home, which is less stressful than litigating abroad. Keep your booking information and the organiser’s registered office contact details.

Accident on transport

Air travel: Certain accidents onboard or during embarkation/disembarkation may fall under international conventions (e.g., the Montreal Convention).

Sea travel: Ship or cruise‑related injuries may fall under regimes like the Athens Convention. Time limits can be short (sometimes two years), so make sure you get legal advice early.

Road traffic accidents

As a passenger, pedestrian or driver, claims usually follow the law of the country where the accident occurred. Notify police and your insurer promptly and ensure you exchange contact details with other drivers and witnesses.

Work travel

If you were travelling for work, also notify your employer. You may have access to company services (occupational health), sick pay, or employer’s liability cover. Keep HR in the loop with copies of your medical treatment records.

Limitation periods: In England and Wales, many personal injury cases have a three‑year limit from the incident (different for children or where you lacked knowledge). Other countries may have much shorter limits. Don’t delay.

Making a Claim & Dealing With Insurers

If you decide to make a claim:

• Notify the insurer (and any at‑fault company) in writing—keep copies of every email.
• Provide the evidence bundle: photos, reports, receipts, and a timeline of treatment and losses.
• Track your financial losses (medical bills, cancelled excursions, taxis, lost work earnings).
• Keep your communications factual. Avoid speculative blame—stick to what you saw or experienced.
• Consider an independent review of your case by a specialist before accepting any early offer of compensation.

Compensation for holiday accident claims typically considers: pain and suffering (the severity of your injuries), medical and rehabilitation costs, travel and care costs, and lost income. 

The insurer may require medical assessments. If liability is disputed, an experienced lawyer can help gather further evidence to show who was responsible and how the accident was caused.

Seek Legal Advice (If Necessary)

Cross‑border claims can be complex. A specialist personal injury solicitor can explain your rights, options, and next steps—including where a case should be brought and what rules apply.

When choosing a firm in England and Wales:

• Make sure they are authorised and regulated—look for the wording “authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority” (SRA) and an SRA number. Many reputable firms state they are “regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.”
• Check the firm’s registered office, “registered in England,” and registered number on their website footer.
• Many offer a free initial legal advice call and clear costs information.
• Read independent reviews and search for similar accident claims they’ve dealt with (for example, holiday accident or accident abroad cases involving a hotel or tour operator).
• Confirm how they keep you in touch (phone/email) and what documents you need to send or receive.

Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice for any specific case. Laws differ by country—always get local, regulated advice where needed.

Repatriation, Fit‑to‑Fly & Ongoing Care

If your injury makes returning home difficult, a medical repatriation company can coordinate stretchers, escorts, or air ambulances. Your insurer may pre‑approve. Ask what your cover includes and whether your insurance company will arrange direct billing.

When you get back to the UK:

• Visit your GP, share foreign treatment notes, and arrange referrals or physiotherapy.
• Keep all receipts and travel documents for your claim.
• Consider counselling if the experience was stressful or traumatic—support matters.

Common Holiday Accident Scenarios (Examples)

Slips and trips at a hotel: wet floors, broken tiles, poor lighting, missing handrails.

Excursions and activities: boating, skiing, quad‑biking—check briefing quality, equipment condition, and local rules.

Road traffic accidents: taxis, coaches, rental cars—seatbelts and helmets reduce injury severity.

Food poisoning: keep leftover samples (if safe), note other people affected, and obtain lab results if available.

Spa or pool treatment issues: allergic reactions, scalds, or infections—record products used and patch‑test info.

Each scenario benefits from swift medical treatment, thorough evidence gathering, and early contact with your insurer.

Document & Evidence Checklist

• Passport, policy documents, GHIC/EHIC (where applicable).
• Photo ID of witnesses (if they consent), their contact details and email.
• Incident numbers, police reports, and hotel report copies.
• Medical records, prescriptions, imaging, and itemised receipts.
• Photos/video of the scene and your injuries.
• A daily recovery log (pain, mobility, sleep, treatment, work impact).

Helpful Template: First Email to Your Insurer

Subject: Accident on holiday – Policy [number], [country], [date]

To: [[email protected] ]

Hello,
I’m writing to report an accident on holiday in [city/country] on [date]. I received medical treatment at [clinic/hospital] for [brief description of injury and severity].
Attached are photos, the hotel incident report, witness contact details, and receipts.
Please confirm the next steps for making a claim, what costs are authorised, and any forms required.
Kind regards,
[Name] | [Policy Number] | [Mobile while abroad]

Choosing a Reputable UK Law Firm or Advice Service

Before you contact us or another firm for personal injury legal advice, visit their website and check for:

• “Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority” (sometimes informally written as “regulated by the solicitors”).
• SRA number, registered office, registered number, and “registered in England” or “registered in England and Wales.”
• Clear complaints procedure and privacy notice.
• Up‑to‑date contact methods (phone, email, form) and service scope (e.g., accident claims, holiday accident claims, accident abroad).
• Copyright notice (often including “All rights reserved”).

This helps ensure you’re working with a properly regulated provider.

Why This Matters

Millions of people travel every year, and unfortunately thousands encounter accidents. Knowing the next steps—from medical treatment to making a claim—means you’ll be better prepared if something goes wrong on holiday. The right support, timely advice, and a strong evidence record can make the difference between a smooth recovery and a drawn‑out dispute.

Medical Repatriation By Air 

If you would like to find out any further information about our Medical Repatriation And Transport Services to UK residents, our friendly team are always on hand to answer your questions and give our customers peace of mind.