Archive for the 'Holiday accidents' Category

A rambler who suffered injuries when walking on a rickety footbridge has won £3,000 in her accident compensation claim.  Mrs B Green was walking along a public footpath at Combe Haven Valley Nature Reserve, and as she went over a wooden bridge a section of the planking collapsed.

As a result of the accident Mrs Green suffered factures to her 2^nd and 3^rd metatarsals, cuts to her shin and bruising to her groin.

The local council defended the accident claim, stating that she should have seen the defect and stepped over it.  However, they admitted having no formal inspection regime for the bridge as it was in a rural location.

All inclusive cruises and foreign holidays are more popular now than ever, but people may not realise the action they can take if they suffer an injury or become ill while abroad.

If an accident happens, it may be possible to make a personal injury claim under English law if any holiday lasting for more than 24 hours was bought as a package for an inclusive price, and comprises at least 2 of the following items - transport (eg by road, rail, sea or air), accommodation, other tourist services (eg a pre-booked excursion or activity).  The same applies if a medical condition or illness is suffered, such as food poisoning. 

Holiday makers staying at a hotel in Torremolinos, Spain have again fallen prey to a major outbreak of illness, only weeks after hundreds of former guests succeeded in their claims for personal injury compensation, resulting in a total payout of around £2.5 million. 

Reports of the latest outbreak saw guests staying at the hotel during January and February 2008 suffering with illness, including gastric complaints, severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

Allegations have been made of poor hygiene conditions at the hotel, including reports that undercooked food was left out for long periods of time.  Holiday makers also indicated that the floor of the restaurant was dirty.