Portugal is a holiday-maker’s paradise. With glorious sunshine in the summer months, and rich culture all year-round, there is plenty to see and do no matter when you decide to travel. However, while Portugal certainly isn’t unsafe, accidents can happen and unfortunately these accidents can be serious. In the regrettable circumstance that you find yourself injured while on holiday, you could be entitled to compensation. If you’ve been injured on holiday and it wasn’t your fault, and no matter whether you’re seeking whiplash or broken wrist compensation, hopefully this guide will help you in knowing what to do if you are injured on your holiday in Portugal.
Accidents And Illnesses In Portugal
Like with any holiday destination, Portugal’s bright, vibrant and friendly culture unfortunately doesn’t make it exempt from accidents and risks. However, some are more commonly reported than others, though only some are possible to claim compensation for depending on whether you’re travelling via a package holiday, or under your own steam. Here are just a few of the most common:
- Food Poisoning And Travel Bugs – undercooked food, unhygienic street goods, and contamination of food products are possible causes of food poisoning, so ensure you take care when eating while abroad. While most food places are trustworthy in Portugal, some slip through the cracks.
- Swimming Pools – Swimming pools come with risks no matter where in the world you travel. With other guests in and out of the pool during the day, there is the chance of slipping on wet tiles, or developing infections or illnesses from bacteria in an un-maintained pool.
- Slips, Trips And Falls – Slips, trips and falls are a risk no matter where you go, and while most can be harmless aside from a bruised ego, others can come with fractures, breakages, muscle injuries or worse.
- Excursions – While most excursion tours are to be trusted, some have a slightly more questionable grasp on health and safety. Take care when booking your trip, but if you do experience an accident, you could make a claim.
- Airports, Transfers And Coach Trips – Accidents don’t always happen while you’re on holiday. In fact, some of them can happen before you even step on the plane or right before you step off when you return home. If you have a package holiday, you could have a claim, as transfers and transport are often included.
What Can I Claim For?
When travelling, it’s important to remember that you’ll be far more protected against accidents and injuries when on a package holiday. The Package Travel Regulations 1992 stated that hotel owners and tour operators have a duty of care towards you and your fellow holiday-makers, which includes the likes of transport, accommodation, and other tourist services including pre-booked excursions.
However, if the accident was your fault for example, this claim could fail to stand. Each claim is unique, however a package holiday provider can only be held responsible if the injury or illness was sustained while you were on hotel property, travelling to or from your hotel, or on an excursion that was part of the original holiday package. If you trip in a local town centre, for example, you may not be entitled to compensation unless it was part of a package-organised outing.
How Do I Claim?
If you believe you have a case for compensation from your holiday to Portugal, it may be time to contact a solicitor. An initial consultation will tell you how much you may be entitled to, whether your claim is likely to be successful, and if it will help set the ball rolling. They can deal with paperwork, court proceedings and more, and with no-win-no-fee policies too, you won’t pay unless you win your case.
For those of you who haven’t embarked on a package holiday, don’t fret. Most claims can be transferred to the UK courts, where you can continue your compensation claim on home soil. This, however, could take longer and will certainly require a specialised solicitor to ensure you get the best case made.
Hopefully this has given you a starting point for knowing what to do if you are injured on holiday in Portugal. If you fell ill, or were injured in an accident on holiday and it wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation, so it may be worth investigating if you have a claim. Good luck!