Claiming After a Friend Injures You on Holiday

Written by Ross Smith

Monday, 16 July 2012 08:45

Friendships can quickly turn sour if you are forced to make a holiday claim against one of your closest friends. At accidents abroad we've helped people in these situations and understand how difficult it can be. It seems as popular as ever for people to holiday with their friends. People’s finances are pushed in so it makes sense to share the cost. Whether a plush luxury holiday or a few too many people sleeping on someone’s hotel room floor, going on holiday with friends is obviously a great fun way of holidaying sharing differing interests to vary your holiday. However, it is not always just sun and sangria – accidents on holiday do happen and harm or injury can still be caused by a good friend. Claims after being injured by a friend on holiday The consequences for people injured on holiday by a traveling companion or friend can be monumental. Naturally, the holiday for the traveling party is often ruined from that moment forward, but more seriously someone’s livelihood and ability to pay their bills can be affected if they can’t work because of their injuries. At Accidents Abroad we represent several different clients who have unfortunately suffered at the hands of a friend. Normally there is no malice but the consequences whatever the intent can still be far reaching. Two cases spring to mind: A friend pushed our client into a swimming pool as a prank. Our client landed in the shallow end hitting the bottom of the pool with her back causing quite a significant back injury for which she made a holiday claim. A skiing accident where the friend when leaving the ski lift, skied over our client’s skis causing them to fall very awkwardly resulting in a very bad knee injury for which they had to make a claim for compensation. If your friend injures you on holiday what should you do? The best thing is to be prepared before you even set off on holiday. My first top tip is to make sure that everyone you travel with has taken out travel insurance. If they have not you may have to contemplate suing your friend personally for compensation, which will not do much for your friendship. At least if your friend has taken out travel insurance with public liability cover you will in effect be seeking compensation from their insurer. If there is no insurance cover and you need to make a holiday compensation claim after an accident, you may have to contemplate getting it through repossession property or belongings of your friend if they have assets. We suggest that you: take the name(s) and address(es) of anyone who saw the incident where possible take photographs of the accident location or ask another friend to do so. You will have to be diplomatic in acting upon these suggestions, but evidence can be key to the success of a case so don’t be shy in doing what is right for you. Accidents are naturally rare, so please do still enjoy the holidays, but if the unfortunate does occur feel a bit better for knowing you have traveled with friends sensible enough to take out insurance cover. If the worst happens, you don’t have to use the solicitors your insurance suggest – you can come to the travel experts at Accidents Abroad. We only have your best interests at heart and provide a no win no fee service. Make a holiday claim with us and not only can we help you get the compensation you deserve; we’ll make sure the holiday will be the only thing ruined and not your friendship as well.   For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com