Advice On What To Do If You Have An Accident Abroad
Just a short hop away, the Republic of Ireland serves as a great destination for a weekend break or summer holiday. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or in a group – or even on your own. If, however, you’ve not had a great experience on holiday, then you might disagree. Although most trips go off without a hitch, it’s important to know that if you do have an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland, there are certain steps you should to take. This guide provides information on the process of reporting an accident, getting help and what you can do if you are injured or fall ill when you are on holiday in the Republic of Ireland.
Jump To A Section
- A Guide To Republic Of Ireland Personal Injury Claims
- Getting Sick Or Injured In Republic of Ireland Holiday Accidents
- Who Is To Blame For Your Personal Injury, Or Illness In Ireland?
- Advice On What To Do If You Are Sick Or Injured On Holiday
- Where To Go Or Who To Call In Ireland For Help
- British Consular Help And Assistance In Ireland
- Why Having Travel Insurance Is Important For Holidays Abroad
- Top Destinations In The Republic of Ireland
- Common Illnesses You Can Have On Holiday
- Food Allergy Reactions And Food Poisoning On Holiday In Ireland
- Illnesses Caused By Poor Restaurant Or Hotel Hygiene
- Injuries Caused By Car And Vehicle Accidents In Ireland
- Were You Injured Because Of A Lack Of Repair Or Poor Maintenance At Your Hotel?
- Common Ways People Have Accidents On Holiday
- Am I Protected Under The UK’s Package Travel Regulations?
- How To Claim Damages And Compensation For Accidents On Holiday In Ireland
- How Much Compensation Can You Claim For Your Accident On Holiday In Ireland?
- Other Related Guides And Useful Links
A Guide To Republic Of Ireland Personal Injury Claims
If you suffered an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland, you’re likely to feel as if your vacation was ruined and there is nothing you can do about it. In many cases, though, this is not the case because you may be able to sue the person/business/entity who caused or contributed your accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland. However, there are some stipulations that must be met for you to take action and make a personal injury claim in Ireland for compensation. In general, the following must apply:
- The incident must have occurred within the constraints of the personal injury claims time limit, which in general terms is usually 3 years from the date of the incident. There are, like many other areas of the law, cases that differ when it comes to the time limit which includes if you were a child or if you weren’t aware of a health issue which can be linked to the accident straightaway. As such, it is wise to get the advice of a personal injury solicitor on which time limit applies to your case to make sure you’re within the limit
- Someone else’s mistake, dangerous behaviour or negligence either made the accident happen, or contributed to it
- You’ve had to seek medical treatment for the injury/ies or illness you suffered
As mentioned, it’s always a good idea to check with a personal injury lawyer whether you’re likely to have grounds to claim for your holiday accident in the Republic of Ireland – as they would have a clear idea of what the protocol would be relating to your case.
If the above applies, you might want to learn more about making claims. This guide provides essential information on how to find where you can get help with you claim, the sort of injuries you may have sustained and the costs you may have paid out as a direct result.
Getting Sick or Injured In Republic of Ireland Holiday Accidents
It’s not just a holiday accident in the Republic of Ireland that may have caused your holiday to be less than perfect because you may have fallen ill while you were there. Some illnesses can’t be prevented, but if yours occurred because someone was negligent or made an error, you may be able to make a holiday accident/illness claim against a third party. Some of the illnesses and injuries that might have occurred and caused you to harm may include the below:
- You were injured due to a road traffic accident in the Republic of Ireland.
- You fell, slipped or tripped because something was not made safe.
- You suffered an allergy due to food not being marked correctly or served despite you letting staff know of your allergy
- Poor health and safety in the hotel caused you an injury
- You suffered some level of food poisoning due to poorly cooked/stored/prepared foods
- Psychological harm because of an incident while you were there
- Assaults that might have happened while on holiday in the Republic of Ireland
- Store-bought goods that were faulty and caused you harm
These are, of course, just some examples, but there are many, many more.
Who Is To Blame For Your Personal Injury, Or Illness In Ireland?
Establishing who is to blame for an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland hinges on whether someone, a business, council, medic, or driver etc should have taken action to prevent the incident, or should not have behaved in the manner that they have. Some examples of establishing blame for an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland could be as follows:
- A tour operator may be liable for an injury you sustained on a pre-booked excursion
- A hotel may be liable for a faulty escalator that caused you harm
- An airline may be held liable for serving food you’re allergic to on the flight – this could lead to flight compensation Ireland
Each incident is usually examined carefully by a personal injury solicitor in order to try and establish who is to blame, then any legal action would be taken against them on your behalf.
Advice On What To Do If You Are Sick Or Injured On Holiday
Getting sick or injured on holiday isn’t pleasant for anyone, but knowing what you can do not only helps in the immediate future but long after if you decide to go ahead with an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland claim. As such, you should do the following:
Firstly, see a medical professional – whether minor or severe, going without a professional assessment is not something you should do. You need to get the right treatment and advice. There also needs to be a record that you’ve sought medical attention for your injury or illness should you wish to go forward with injury or illness in Ireland claims.
Next, report to the relevant people – whether this is your travel company, the hotel, the restaurant, the local government or the police, reporting to the right people is essential. If it’s a car accident, then your insurance provider and car rental people if you’ve rented a car must be notified. Your travel insurance provider would need to know too.
Write things down – Making a note of times, places and important information right away is important because your memory of events and details may not be clear later on.
Keep your documents – Medical reports, proof of any bills that occurred etc are vital to keep hold of.
Get a solicitor –holiday accident claims in the Republic of Ireland can be complex. Having legal experts on your side would not only help explain complex legal matters but would also help ensure you receive the right compensation for the injuries you sustained or the holiday-related illness you suffered.
Where To Go Or Who To Call In Ireland For Help
Should you be injured in an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland then you might need to access some help straight away.
If the help you need is police, ambulance etc, then the emergency number, just as in the UK, is 999.
Other people who might be able to offer immediate help include:
- Your travel package company or tour operator
- Local healthcare providers
- Your travel insurance provider
- The British Consulate/Embassy
British Consular Help And Assistance In Ireland
To gain assistance from the Embassy, see the contact details below. They should be able to advise you on who you need to get in touch with and can help with a variety of issues.
British Embassy Dublin
29 Merrion Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
Telephone +353 (1) 205 3700
Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-dublin
Why Having Travel Insurance Is Important For Holidays Abroad
Now, more than ever, it is wise to look into travel insurance before you visit the Republic of Ireland.
Currently, you can get healthcare via the EHIC – this may change post-Brexit. It is also wise to take into account that the current EHIC may not cover you for all sorts of medical treatment. As such, giving yourself the best chance of recovery means getting the most appropriate treatment. There are plenty of insurance companies to look at, so it’s possible to shop around and get a good price for families, couples or individuals when it comes to comprehensive travel insurance.
Top Destinations In The Republic of Ireland
There are a huge number of places to go and things to see in the Republic of Ireland. However, if you were injured in an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland, you might be forgiven for cutting your trip a bit short.
Some of the best places to go in the Republic of Ireland include the following:
- Dublin, with the iconic Grafton Street, which is a vibrant place to experience
- Cork and Limerick contain much to do if you’re looking for a city break with a warm welcome
Alternatively, you could head to the coast and experience beaches which includes the following:
- Dog’s Bay in Co Galway, a beautiful crescent-shaped stretch of sand where you can rent kayaks or simply relax on the sands. Keem Bay in Co Mayo, where you’ll combine relaxing blue flag beach quality with a vista that is well worth taking your camera for
- The Cliffs of Moher also provide a beautiful backdrop for photographs, whereas if it’s gardens that take your fancy, you’ll be well catered for too
- Powerscourt house and gardens in Co Wicklow, Killarney National Park
| Country | Number of visitors | Visitor rank |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 3,728,900 | 1 |
| USA & Canada | 2,101,500 | 2 |
| Germany | 681,400 | 3 |
| France | 549,300 | 4 |
| Spain | 443,200 | 5 |
| Italy | 363,300 | 6 |
| Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand | 208,500 | 7 |
Common Illnesses You Can Have on Holiday
Most of the illnesses you could contract on holiday that you could claim for include food poisoning, and there are various common types you may be exposed to if you’ve suffered a bout. Here are some of the main types:
E-coli -One of the most commonly known types, it can cause really bad stomach cramps, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea
Salmonella – Often caught from contaminated food, you’re likely to suffer fever, cramps and diarrhoea or some combination of the above if you contract this
Campylobacter – Cases of this are usually on the mild side, but in some cases, it can be very serious
There are more illnesses that could occur in the Republic of Ireland than those mentioned above, but those are the main ones.
Food Allergy Reactions And Food Poisoning On Holiday In Ireland
As well as the food poisoning, food allergies can cause symptoms ranging from the very mild to the severe and in some cases, can be fatal.
Allergies are no joke, and if you experienced a food allergy having informed restaurant staff and they serve you something containing an allergen, then you might become very ill. While in most cases, food allergies and food poisoning cases are recoverable from, some types of food poisoning can lead to further illness, and some allergic reactions can cause death. If a restaurant or hotel, or even a meal served on a plane caused this type if illness, then you may have cause to seek holiday illness compensation.
Illnesses Caused By Poor Restaurant Or Hotel Hygiene
Food preparation rules are put in place to ensure that it is served safely to people who consume it. Likewise, your health and safety should be the priority of your travel provider, your hotel and any restaurant you eat in. Not only should good hygiene be observed in food preparation, storage and service to save you getting food poisoning, but things like swimming pools or beauty salons in hotels, should also operate as hygienically as possible to reduce the risk of you contracting things like dermatitis and other skin conditions. If you believe that hygiene standards caused your illness or accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland, your best bet is to contact a lawyer who will look into this for you and establish whether you could claim compensation from a negligent third party.
Injuries Caused By Car And Vehicle Accidents In Ireland
Road accidents happen all over the world and the Republic of Ireland is no different. When you’re on the road in the Republic of Ireland, you must be as careful as you are anywhere else, and take care to observe the specific rules relating to the area where you are driving.
However, if your holiday accident in the Republic of Ireland was caused by another driver, whether you were injured as a passenger, a driver or a pedestrian, you may be able to claim compensation. Common injuries after car accidents include the following:
- Whiplash
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
However, you may suffer a serious injury which takes you a long time to recover from. In a worse case scenario, fatal accidents could occur. This is why it is essential to establish who is at fault so that you may make a claim against them. Some common RTAs in Republic of Ireland Claims involve:
- Passengers in cars suffering injury from head on collisions, a car pulling out on them, or being rear ended
- Drivers of cars suffering injury from head on collisions, a car pulling out on them, or being rear ended
- Pedestrians getting hit by a vehicle mounting the pavement, or while on a crossing
- Motorcycle accident incidents with drivers being knocked off their vehicle or more
But there are many other road traffic accidents that could happen. Again, your best course of action would be to contact someone with legal experience in order to see whether your accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland would lead to claims for compensation from a third party.
Were You Injured Because Of A Lack of Repair Or Poor Maintenance At Your Hotel?
Broken elevators, unsafe chairs, spillages on floors and badly maintained swimming pools, can all cause an accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland. Your hotel must provide you with a safe place to stay, and that they maintain to a good standard. If they fail to do so and you’re injured, then the likelihood is that you could be entitled to claim compensation.
Common Ways People Have Accidents On Holiday
Some accidents are more common than others, and while there is a wide variety of different accidents that could happen on a holiday, some cases are seen more often than others which includes the following:
- Carbon Monoxide Inhalation
- Accidents on an aeroplane
- Road accidents
- Slips and falls in a hotel
- Lift accidents
- Falls from height
- Fire at the hotel
- Slips on wet flooring
- Balcony falls
- Accidents in and around swimming pools
That does not mean to say that if your accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland happened involved another situation, that you won’t be able to make a claim. If someone is liable for your injuries then you could be entitled to file a personal injury claim against them.
Am I Protected Under The UK’s Package Travel Regulations?
When you have an accident on a package holiday, you might think that you’d claim against the particular place you had the accident on holiday in the Republic of Ireland. However, you could actually be entitled to file a claim against your tour operator if you’ve booked a package holiday through them.
This would consist of 2 or more of:
- Your hotel stay (must be at least overnight or 24 hours)
- Your transport
- Your other services such as excursions, tours etc.
This covers you under the Package Travel Regulations.
How To Claim Damages And Compensation For Accidents On Holiday In Ireland
Lots of people have accidents on holiday but a many assume that claiming any kind of compensation would be tricky. The reason being they think that an accident abroad would mean you’d have to hire a lawyer in that country. This is not actually the case. Compensation can be claimed with a UK-based lawyer, no matter where the accident takes place. Finding a good lawyer you are happy to work with, is essential for your to case run smoothly. The solicitor would keep you updated on the progress for your claim, as well as not asking for a lot of money straightaway to begin a claim. These days, many claims are handled on no win no fee basis, which basically means there’s no risk of you having a legal bill you can’t pay. Your legal bills are paid out of your compensation if you go down this route and if you lose your case, there would be nothing to pay at all.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim For Your Accident On Holiday In Ireland?
There are a lot of things to take into account when you’re looking to claim compensation. Firstly, did you know that you don’t just claim for the actual injury? You could also claim holiday compensation for loss of enjoyment of your holiday, emotional trauma, costs you’ve had to pay because of the incident, as well as the pain and suffering element of the injury itself. You’ll probably see personal injury claims calculators on the web but these aren’t accurate because they cannot factor in the complexities of a case bearing in mind that every case is different. The Judicial College guidelines have produced some information on typical payouts for specified injuries though which are included in the chart below:
| Injury | Payout |
|---|---|
| Back injury/ies, most severe forms | From £79,890 - £141,150 |
| 3 month recovery neck injury/ies, | Can be up to £2,150 |
| Most severe neck injury/ies | Amounts around £130,060 |
| Serious dislocation of shoulder | From £11,200 - £16,830 |
| Forearm fracture/s - simple | From £5,810 - £16,830 |
| Loss of use of a hand or amputation | From £84,310 - £96,150 |
| Amputation of A Leg (lower than the knee) | From £85,910 - £116,620 |
| Severest knee injury/ies | From £61,140 - £84,360 |
| Both Feet Amputated | From £148,540 - £176,660 |
| Facial Bone Fractures (Multiple) | From £13,080 - £21,000 |
| Facial scars (Trivial) | From £1,500 - £3,090 |
Other Related Guides And Useful Links
More information can be found here:
Healthcare information – NHS – Republic of Ireland – Specific Republic of Ireland information from the NHS
Legal Expert Assistance Information – More in-depth information on getting legal assistance.
Edited Honey 25/1/20