The Canary Islands Holiday Accident Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For A Personal Injury Claim In The Canary Islands?

Canary Islands Holiday Accident And Illness Claims

Holiday accident claims in the Canary IslandsGoing on holiday is an exciting experience, to say the least. However, this experience can very quickly go sour if you suffer an injury or you come down with an illness. If you want to seek compensation for the accident in the Canary Islands, you must have the right information on how to go about filing a personal injury claim against a third party. You need to know whether you have a strong case. This guide provides valuable information and advice on how to go about filing a personal injury claim for an accident in the Canary Islands.

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A Guide To Canary Islands Holiday Personal Injury Claims

The Canary Islands has long been a popular holiday destination with British tourists. From Tenerife to Gran Canaria, thousands of people choose to spend a holiday there every year. Statistics show that Tenerife is the most popular spot, attracting a total of 6.18 million visitors in 2017. This is followed by Gran Canaria, and then Lanzarote. However, no matter where you go accidents can happen. If you have been injured while on holiday here, this guide provides valuable advice and information on what to do if you fall sick or are injured in an accident in the Canary Islands. You will find details on how to make a claim, the strength of your case, and the sort of compensation you may get. The guide also provides information regarding how to get help in the Canary Islands, the common illnesses you should be mindful of, and much more. At the end of the guide, you will find a couple of links that may be of assistance if you need further information.

Dealing With Falling Sick Or Being Injured On Holiday

If you fell ill or were injured on holiday in the Canary Islands, you may want to claim compensation for the distress you were put through. You may also be able to claim for any other costs relating to your accident. This could be loss of enjoyment because your holiday was ruined and any loss of income if you have been forced to miss work while you recover from your injuries.

Who Is To Blame For Your Illness Or Personal Injury

When making any type of personal injury claim, it is all about proving that someone is responsible for what has happened to you. There are various individuals and organisations that can be to blame. Here are some examples to help you get a better understanding:

  • Another driver could be to blame if he or she crashed into your vehicle
  • Your car hire firm may be to blame if you were injured because of a vehicle malfunction
  • The hotel you are staying in could be to blame if you were injured due to poor maintenance
  • The local authority could be to blame for slips, trips, and falls on public pathways
  • A restaurant could be to blame if you developed food poisoning

This is merely a handful of examples but there are others which could be to blame and which could entitle you to seek compensation.

What Should You Do If You Become Ill Or Get Hurt In The Canary Islands?

If you were injured while on holiday in the Canary Islands, some of the things you need to do include the following:

  • See a medical professional – don’t bypass this step, no matter how minor your injuries may be. It is vital to be professionally diagnosed. The medical report is extremely important when it comes to making your accident claim in the Canary Islands once you are back in the UK
  • Report the incident – you must report the incident to the travel company you booked your holiday through. You may also need to call your car rental company if you were involved in an accident in a rental vehicle. Furthermore, make sure your insurance firm is aware of what has happened
  • Make a note of everything that occurred – this is always a good idea, as it ensures you do not forget something later down the line
  • Find an experienced solicitor – you must have a good solicitor on your side if you want to have a chance of getting the compensation you deserve. It is recommended to go for a No Win, No Fee solicitor. If you do this, financial risk is taken off the table, as you pay if you win your case. You would also not need any money to begin the claim process
  • Hold onto receipts and other pieces of evidence regarding costs – you must keep receipts for expenses you incurred as a direct result of your injuries. This could include anything from prescription expenses to loss of income, to travel costs, to counselling costs

Where To Get Help When In The Canary Islands

If you were injured in the Canary Islands, there are a number of different avenues for you in terms of getting help which includes the following:

  • Your travel company/ package holiday company
  • The Spanish healthcare system
  • A travel insurance provider
  • The British Embassy

Getting Help From the British Consulate In Gran Canaria

If you are injured in the Canary Islands, a member of the British Consulate would be in touch with you, and should inform your family and friends. You can find the contact details from the British Consulate in Gran Canaria below.

Calle Luis Morote 6-3º
35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Spain
Telephone: +34 928 26 25 08
Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-las-palmas-de-gran-canaria

The UK Government website also has some good information on foreign travel advice in Spain.

Why We Think It Is Worth Having Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance when visiting the Canary Islands. A lot of people assume this is not necessary because they can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You could use your EHIC here but after Brexit this may not be possible. However, this does not mean you should rely on it for all medical treatments. Your EHIC may only cover you in certain situations, providing cheap and sometimes free healthcare services. Nonetheless, there are going to be some things that are not covered, which is why you need travel insurance for full coverage and protection when on holiday in the Canary Islands.

Popular Destinations In The Canary Islands

To say the Canary Islands is popular amongst Brits would be an understatement. There are some great resorts and hotels here. The most popular spots include the following:

  • Tenerife
  • Lanzarote
  • Gran Canaria
  • El Hierro
  • La Gomera
  • La Palma

When visiting Tenerife, most tourists tend to go to tourist resorts in the South West, including the likes of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas. Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, and is a great place for sun worshippers, as the beach here is to die for. And, what about Lanzarote? Surprisingly for some, it’s becoming more and more upmarket here. There are lots of eco-friendly and chic places to stay in. Plus, you would never run out of amazing activities, from sampling the local wines to surfing, walking and cycling.

Statistics for visitors to the Canary Islands in 2016:

Island In The Canary'sNumber of Arrivals In 2016
Tenerife4,885,900
Gran Canaria3,654,800
Lanzarote2,328,700
Fuerteventura1,914,100
La Palma221,500
El Hierro & La Gomera109,300

Common Illnesses Holidaymakers To The Canary Islands Might Get

There are a number of common illnesses that could be contracted while visiting The Canary Islands. The four mentioned below are the most common:

  • Salmonella – contaminated food is responsible for the spreading of this disease. Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps
  • Campylobacter – this bacterial disease is usually mild yet there have been claims made by family members for fatal accidents involving this disease
  • coli – you have probably heard about E.Coli before. This causes stomach cramps of a severe nature, as well as bloody diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Shigella – this infectious disease causes symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps

Food Allergies & Food Poisoning On Holiday

Canary Islands illness and food poisoning claims are fairly common when compared with other claim types. Not only can you claim for food poisoning, but you can also claim if you have a food allergy and you were not made aware of allergies in something you ate. Food poisoning can show itself in a number of different ways, for example, nausea, sickness, stomach pain, and dehydration. Most people make a full recovery within a matter of days. However, there have been serious and life-threatening bouts of food poisoning. What about food allergy claims? Well, if you had an allergic reaction and you believe the restaurant, hotel, food establishment, or any other company, is to blame because they did not include allergy information on food packaging or on their menu, you may have grounds for a compensation claim.

Poor Hygiene At A Hotel Or Restaurant Made You Sick, What Should You Do?

There are also Canary Islands accident and illness claims due to poor hygiene. Poor hygiene standards increase the risk of a huge number of illnesses, especially those mentioned above. If you are feeling sick, it is important to document your symptoms and to see a medical professional so that you could get the compensation you are entitled to by filing a personal injury claim against the third party responsible.

Hire Or Rental Car Accidents In The Canary Islands

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident, or any other type of road traffic accident, that was caused by another individual, here are some steps to follow:

  • See a medical professional – this is the first thing you need to do. It may sound obvious that if you were injured you are going to see a medical professional. However, some people sustain whiplash when they involved in a car accident which is an injury that can take hours and even days to surface. As such, many people attempt to cope with their injuries themselves. If you do this, there would be no proof of your suffering, and you would not be able to claim
  • Get contact details – you must get the contact details of the person who caused the accident. This includes their name, address, telephone number, the details of their insurance company, and information regarding their vehicle, i.e. the make, model, and the registration number. If the perpetrator fled the scene, you could still make a claim, although the process is slightly different. Aside from this, you are advised to get the contact details of anyone that witnessed the crash as well and the Police incident number
  • Keep proof of all costs sustained – it is likely that you had to foot the bill numerous expenses because of your injuries. This includes things travel expenses, hospital parking costs, the cost of treatment, prescription expenses, vehicle repair costs, and loss of income. You may be able to claim for all of these in special damages, but only if you have proof in the form of receipts
  • Call the rental firm – if you were in a rental vehicle and involved in a car accident, you must call the company at the earliest opportunity to inform them of what has happened
  • Take photographs – you should take photographs of your injuries, if they are visible. Moreover, it is a good idea to take photos at the scene of any damage to your vehicle and the surrounding area

Hotel Injuries Caused By Damaged Facilities And Poor Maintenance

You could also make a claim if you have been injured due to poor maintenance and damaged facilities in a hotel. There are many different ways such an incident could happen. For example, you may have suffered an illness because the hotel swimming pool has not been maintained properly. Swimming pools require a certain amount of cleaning and chemicals to get the PH level right. If this is not done correctly, illnesses can easily manifest. You may also have been injured because of poor maintenance around the pool, for example, broken tiles. Of course, these hotel injuries do not only relate to the swimming pool area. Some people have also been the victims of serious injuries because gym equipment has not been maintained properly or because of broken furniture in a hotel room. If the general upkeep of the establishment is not up to scratch, the likelihood of illnesses and injuries occurring increases and should this be the case, you may be entitled to claim compensation from a third party.

Common Holiday Accidents

The injuries and accidents  mentioned above merely scratch the surface when it comes to Canary Islands holiday compensation claims. There are so many different types of accidents that can happen abroad. Some of the most common include the following:

  • Slips, trips, and falls on a holiday
  • Food poisoning
  • Car crashes and other road traffic accidents
  • Swimming pool injuries
  • Injuries caused due to faulty products
  • Illnesses because of poor hygiene

Is My Package Holiday Protected Under The New Package Travel Regulations?

If you had an accident on a package holiday, you may think that making a claim is going to be difficult. After all, you have booked your holiday through one provider, yet it’s likely that this company has outsourced a number of the services to other parties, so would you have to claim through the local providers? The answer isno. The newer Package Travel Regulations mean that you can make a claim against the tour operator you booked the vacation through. To determine whether your holiday counts as a package holiday, you simply need to make sure it consists of at least two of the following:

  • A 24-hour or overnight stay, at least
  • Transport
  • Other holiday services, for example, tours and excursions

How To Claim Compensation For A Canary Islands Holiday Accident

You may be shocked to discover the sheer number of people in the UK who were entitled to compensation yet never made a claim. This is often because they envisage a lengthy and complex process, and being already stressed and upset enough as it is thanks to their injuries, they choose not to. However, an experienced solicitor would work hard to secure compensation over the telephone where possible because if you were injured or fell ill through no fault of your own, the following would apply:

  • You deserve it – you were put through a traumatic time having been involved in an accident that was caused by someone else, and you suffered because of it
  • Assistance through the recovery process – a successful claim wold ensure that you have the funds you need to get through the recovery process
  • Cover any out of pocket expenses – there are many costs that could arise if you were involved in an accident in the Canary Islands and have injuries to cope with. Then there are the out of pocket expenses to factor which includes loss of income, travel costs and prescription expenses. You would be able to claim for these as special damages

The next thing you should do is make sure you find an experienced solicitor to work on your case. Read on to discover some top pieces of advice to bear in mind:

  • Experience beats cheap rates – many people are tempted to go for the services of inexperienced solicitors because they offer cheap rates. However, you could wind up suffering greater financial troubles if the solicitor fails to win your case for you. This is why it is advisable to go for someone with a considerable degree of experience. This would give you the best chance of winning your case and thus it would be the most profitable route in the long run
  • Choose a No Win, No Fee service ­– the second pivotal piece of advice is to go for a No Win, No Fee personal injury lawyer. This would offer you a degree of financial protection because you would only  pay legal fees if your case is a success. This not only benefits you in monetary terms, but you would experience a better service too because the solicitor is going to be influenced by the outcome of the case

How Much Might My Canary Islands Injury Or Illness Be Worth?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to calculate exactly how much compensation you may get. This is because all cases are handled on an individual basis. There are some things you can do to maximise your payout which includes the following:

  • Find an experienced solicitor – when it comes to getting the maximum amount of compensation, the importance of finding an experienced solicitor to act on your behalf cannot be overlooked. You need someone who has a considerable amount of experience and an exceptional reputation in the industry. This is why it is advisable to do a bit of research online to see what previous clients have to say. Aside from this, you are advised to choose a personal injury solicitor who is happy to work to a No Win, No Fee basis. By doing this, you are not only giving yourself a significant degree of financial protection but you are also assured of a better service because the solicitor’s pay is going to be performance related
  • Keep all relevant documents – it is vital to keep hold of all documents and evidence that supports your case. This is especially relevant when it comes to claims for any costs you have encountered due to your injuries. You could claim for the likes of prescription costs, loss of earnings, and hospital parking tickets. However, you are only going to be able to do this if you have the proof to back it up. Therefore, make sure you do not throw receipts and other applicable documents
  • Claim as quickly as can – when you have been injured it is only natural that you would want to focus on the recovery process. However, you are advised to make a compensation claim as soon as you feel ready. If you leave it a year or longer, you may find the process a lot more challenging. Not only is there a time limit on personal injury cases but you would struggle to get your hands on important evidence which includes witness statements if you wait for too long.

These are some of the things you can do to increase your chances of securing the maximum ruined holiday compensation available to you. To give you further clarity regarding the sort of payout you may receive, take a look at the average payouts below, which have been sourced from the Judicial College guidelines.

InjuryPayout
Back injuries, most severe £79,890
to
£141,150
Neck injury, 3-month recovery Up to
£2,150
Neck injuries, most severeIn the
region of
£130,060
Shoulder injury, serious dislocation £11,200
to £16,830
Simple forearm fractures£5,810
to £16,830
Effective or total loss of one hand£84,310
to £96,150
Below-knee Amputation of One Leg£85,910
to
£116,620
Knee injury, most severe£61,140
to £84,360
Amputation of Both Feet£148,540
to
£176,660
Multiple Fractures of Facial Bones£13,080
to
£21,000
Trivial facial scarring£1,500
to £3,090

Related Content

Here are a couple of links you may find helpful:

The NHS on Accidents in Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands

NHS – Healthcare guidance – Guidance from the NHS could be useful.

Legal Expert Canary Islands Claims – There is a detailed guide here covering claims for the area. You might find it useful.

Edited Honey 25/1/20