New Accident Figures Could Encourage Holiday Accident Claims

Written By: adrian berry on June 20, 2010 No Comment

As we near July to August, known for being the peak summer holiday season you may be considering where you’re going to go, holiday offers, getting the time off work or what items to bring. You won’t be considering whether or not you’re going to make a holiday accident claim after or during this year’s holiday. Newly released accident data sheds light on what risks British holiday makers could face when going on holiday.

Having time off work can be essential to reduce built up stress. It’s believed that working for long periods without taking a break can lead to work-related stress which makes work accidents more likely. In 2005/06 there were a surprising 28,605 work accident injuries reported of which 160 were fatal accidents as stated by the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR.

Flying off to New York on a plane. Heading to the Mediterranean on a cruise liner. Popping over the channel to France on the Eurostar train or a ferry. Whatever your destination for a holiday you will be using some form of transport to get you there. It’s therefore a discouraging thought that more than 480,500 holiday accident claims happen during transit and travelling before arrival at your holiday destination.

Yet if you choose to holiday locally in the UK you should be aware that an estimated 271,017 people were involved in road accident personal injury claims when travelling around the UK.

Minor train accidents might not appear in the news very often but in the region of 5,172 people were train accidents victims (including accidents on railway premises) during 2005/06. Regardless of this, public transport is still one of the safest methods to travel around.

When you arrive at your holiday destination the tour operator, or company you have booked elements of your holiday with, have a duty to ensure travel, accommodation, activities or excursions are safe and pose no risk of injury to any of their clients. Bear in mind that even for package holiday accident claims abroad you might be able to take up your holiday claim through the English legal system.

When choosing which leisure activities to take part in on your holiday remember the safety & risks involved. Overseas and here in the UK there are lots of different activities available from hiking and climbing to surfing and skiing. Take into account that 1,208,414 leisure accidents were reported in the UK alone (according to the Home Accident Surveillance System and the Leisure Activities report). Make sure the stringent safety measures, set by professional bodies and the government regulators, are implemented and followed by the activity organisers.

Don’t let this information put you off a summer holiday as the likelihood of having an holiday accident, for which you consult a holiday accident solicitor to make a claim, are a thousand to one. You are more likely to return from your holiday with lots of duty free goods, a suitcase load of tacky souvenirs and a sun tan.

If you require more information about accidents or to pursue a holiday compensation claim contact Alkers holiday accident solicitors on freephone 0800 005 544 or fill out an enquiry form.