Search online and you’ll uncover lots of articles about claiming for injuries sustained on overseas holidays. We’ve even covered the topic ourselves in our blog, Can I Make a Package Holiday Accident Claim?
What should you do if you get hurt while on holiday in the UK? This subject is often overlooked in holiday accident blogs, so we decided to address the issue. We look at what you can do if you have an accident during a staycation and explore whether you can claim compensation.
At Mooneerams Solicitors, we specialise in helping people who have been injured in accidents that weren’t their fault, including holiday accidents that happen right here in the UK. We handle holiday claims in the UK on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you can claim without worrying about having to pay legal fees if your case doesn’t succeed.
Are Staycations Safer Than Holidays Abroad?
Staycations are increasingly popular. According to the Sykes Staycation Index, 63% of us will holiday in the UK this year. With lower costs, less stress, and the chance to bring our pets, it’s clear why many of us choose homegrown holidays.
Many people feel that UK holidays are safer because we are closer to home. We are in familiar places and can access the NHS if something goes wrong. But are UK-based holidays safer?
The truth is, we don’t know. Data shows that 4.4 million people experienced injuries while travelling abroad in the last three years. However, there are no equivalent studies for staycations. What we know is that summer is a hectic time for A&E departments, with a record number of 4.6 million people attending in 2024.
Heat-related issues contribute to some of those visits. Accidents caused by others’ negligence are undoubtedly reasons for many visits to A&E during the summer months.
Common Staycation Accidents
The types of accidents that can happen on a UK holiday are as varied as the destinations themselves. These include:
- Road traffic accidents, especially on busy summer roads – More speed-related fatal road traffic accidents occur during summer than at any other time of the year.
- Slips, trips, and falls – These types of accidents are the most common among UK travellers. They are often caused by wet floors, poor lighting or uneven ground
- Injuries from faulty or badly maintained furniture or equipment in holiday lets
- Swimming pool accidents in hotels or holiday parks
- Accidents on excursions, such as visits to theme parks or coastal walks
- Food poisoning after eating out
Sometimes we take more risks on holiday – what the Safer Tourism Foundation calls “holiday head”. However, if you were injured because someone else failed in their duty of care, you may be entitled to make a claim.
Who Could Be Liable?
Holiday Cottages
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, owners of rented properties have a duty to keep visitors to their premises as reasonably safe as possible. If you’re injured in a holiday rental due to poor maintenance or dangerous conditions, you may have a claim against the owner.
Some booking platforms may also be liable, but only in limited circumstances – for instance, if they advertised the property as being inspected and safe, or if they failed to address previous safety complaints.
Many agencies require their holiday home owners to hold public liability insurance, meaning there’s often insurance cover in place should successful compensation claims be brought by injured visitors.
Hotels
Hotel owners are required to meet strict health and safety obligations. Accidents caused by factors such as faulty fixtures, poor cleaning standards, or broken railings may lead to successful holiday compensation claims. In some cases, hotel accidents can result in serious or even fatal injuries.
Excursions
From museums to mountain walks, excursions are a highlight of many UK holidays. Still, if you’re injured during one, perhaps at a theme park or tourist attraction, and someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. This applies whether the trip was booked independently or as part of a package arranged by a tour operator.
Road Traffic Accidents
Perhaps surprisingly, summer is the most dangerous time on the roads, with a higher incidence of serious accidents occurring in July and August. If you’re injured in a collision while travelling to or from your staycation – whether as a driver or passenger – you may be eligible to make a claim.
How Much Compensation Could You Get?
There’s no fixed amount. Your compensation will depend on how severe your injuries are, how they’ve affected your life, and whether they will continue to affect your everyday living in the future (and for how long).
There are so many variables that it’s impossible even to guess how much you might receive in compensation. On top of the damages you get for your injury, you will also want to claim back any financial losses you’ve suffered, including lost earnings or medical expenses.
For a rough idea of how much you may receive after you’ve suffered an injury in a holiday accident, check our compensation calculator and visit our website page ‘How much is the average personal injury settlement worth?‘ However, remember that each claim is unique.
Staycation Injury FAQs
Q1. I suffered from food poisoning at a restaurant during a staycation – can I claim compensation?
Yes, if the food you were served has made you ill due to food poisoning, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. If the venue was part of a package holiday or booked through a tour operator, you might have additional options. Contact us today for legal advice about food poisoning claims.
Q2. What if my accident happened at a swimming pool during my UK holiday?
Swimming pools must meet strict safety standards. If your swimming pool injury was caused by slippery floors, broken tiles or lack of supervision or maintenance by the owners of the pool, you may have a claim under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
Whether the pool was at a hotel or part of a rental property, speak to a member of our team on 029 2199 1927
Q3. Will a No Win No Fee arrangement be available for staycation accident claims?
Yes. Mooneerams Solicitors usually handles personal injury claims on a No Win No Fee basis, so there’s no financial risk to you.
Final Thoughts
Staycations are, for the most part, safe, affordable, and enjoyable – and most people return home refreshed and injury-free. But accidents do happen. If you were injured on a UK holiday and it wasn’t your fault, you don’t have to deal with the consequences alone.
Mooneerams is a firm of experienced personal injury solicitors, here to help you claim the compensation you deserve. Call now on 029 2199 1927
