Hotel Accident Claims

What is a hotel accident compensation claim?

A hotel accident compensation claim is a personal injury claim. If you suffer illness or injury because a hotel was negligent in some way you may be able to claim compensation.

In most cases you have to make a compensation claim within three years of the hotel accident happening. You can claim for the pain and distress caused, as well as for any financial impact the injuries have.

If you were injured on a package holiday then our personal injury solicitors will claim compensation from the UK tour operator or package organiser. The law covering this is the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

If your hotel injury happened in a UK hotel, the compensation claim will be made directly against the hotel. If your hotel accident happened abroad then we may work with overseas solicitors to claim compensation in the relevant country.

When am I eligible to make a hotel accident compensation claim?

You might be eligible to make a hotel accident compensation claim if your injury was caused by negligence on the part of a hotel, and was not your fault. In most cases you have to start a claim within three years of the hotel accident happening.

For a hotel accident compensation claim to be successful you need to prove that the hotel had a duty of care to you and failed in that duty of care. You also have to show that this failure directly led to your injury.

Our expert personal injury solicitors will explain the law around hotel accident compensation claims and the evidence needed to show negligence. We’ll help to gather that evidence and work to claim 100% of the compensation we think you’re entitled to.

How much compensation could I get for a hotel accident claim?

The amount of compensation you could receive for a hotel accident claim could range from a couple of thousand pounds to hundreds of thousands. The final amount will be based on:

• The nature and severity of your injuries.
• The physical pain and distress you’ve suffered.
• The psychological impact of your injuries, which could include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
• The treatment you need.
• Whether you are expected to recover.
• How long any recovery might take.
• The ways in which your injuries have stopped you living your life. This will include your social life and your ability to pursue hobbies and interests.
• The financial impact of your injuries.

The compensation will be made up of general damages and special damages.

What are general damages for a hotel accident compensation claim?

General damages for a hotel accident claim are paid to reflect the nature of your injuries, the pain and distress caused and any loss of amenity. They will be decided with the help of a specialist publication called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).

The JCG sets out suggested compensation ranges for specific injuries to every part of the body. Examples from the latest edition which could apply to a hotel accident claim include:

• A back injury with permanent serious symptoms – £26,050 to £36,390
• A minor broken arm – £8,060 – £23,430
• Moderate strains, sprains, and soft tissue injuries – £4,080 to £6,920
• Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – £73,050 – £122,850

What are special damages in a hotel accident compensation claim?

Special damages in a hotel accident compensation claim are intended to compensate for the financial impact of your injuries. They should return you to the financial position you would have been in if the hotel accident had never happened.

Special damages will cover any earnings lost as a result of your injuries, as well as the following expenses:

• Money spent on medical bills now and in the future.
• Money spent on paying for any care needed, now and in the future.
• An amount to cover any care provided free of charge by friends and family.
• Money spent on adapting your home or vehicle to allow for the impact of your injuries.
• Money spent travelling to and from any medical appointments relating to your injuries.
• Money spent on specialist equipment such as mobility aids needed as a result of your injuries.

When our specialist personal injury solicitors have a clear idea of your hotel accident injuries they will be able to estimate the general and special damages you could receive.

What is the hotel accident compensation claims process?

The hotel accident compensation claims process starts with contacting Beacon Law with the details of your case. Our personal injury solicitors will provide a free, no obligation consultation.

During this consultation we’ll explain how the law on personal injury claims of this kind works. We’ll also listen to the details of your accident and decide whether any compensation claim we make is likely to succeed.

If we think you have the grounds for a compensation claim we’ll help you to gather the evidence needed to show that the hotel was negligent. The evidence will also set out the nature of your injuries and any financial impact.

We will contact the other party to tell them that you intend to seek compensation for your injuries. We will liaise with the hotel and their insurers throughout the claims process.

If the hotel or package tour operator admits liability we will negotiate a fair settlement. Our experience of handling hotel accident claims means that we know exactly what you’re entitled to, and won’t settle for any less.

If a fair settlement can’t be agreed, then your claim might have to be settled in court. This only happens rarely, but if it does we will be by your side throughout the process.

How do I prove fault in a hotel accident compensation claim?

The specialist personal injury claims solicitors at Beacon Law will work with you to prove fault in your hotel accident claim. As well as your own detailed statement setting out what happened, we’ll gather the following evidence:

• A medical report on your injuries produced by an independent expert we appoint to examine you.
• Your own medical records detailing the injuries and the treatment needed for them.
• Accident reports from the hotel itself, completed at the time of the accident.
• Photographs and videos of the scene of the accident, including any you were able to take at the time.
• Any available CCTV footage of your hotel accident.
• Witness statements taken from any guests or hotel staff that saw what happened to you.
• Any paperwork dealing with the details of your hotel booking.
• Statements from any emergency responders that attended the scene of your hotel accident.
• Maintenance and cleaning records which could show how the hotel acted negligently.

As well as evidence proving fault, we’ll pull together evidence of the financial impact of your hotel accident. This could include bank statements, wage slips, receipts, bills and invoices.

Is there a time limit on making a hotel accident compensation claim?

Yes, in most cases there is a statutory limit of three years after a hotel accident happens. Once the three years is up you will no longer be able to start a compensation claim, with some exceptions.

Are there any exceptions to the three year time limit?

Yes, there are a few exceptions to the three year time limit on making a compensation claim. These include:

• The injured party is a child – in which case the three years aren’t counted until the date of their 18th birthday. Alternatively, a parent or guardian can claim on a child’s behalf before they turn 18.
• If the injured party doesn’t have the mental capacity to make a claim – in which case the three years is counted from the date on which they regain capacity. If they don’t regain capacity then a trusted family member could claim on their behalf.
• If the injured party is sadly deceased – in which case the time limit on any claim will run from the date of death.

What types of hotel accidents can I claim compensation for?

You may be able to make a hotel accident compensation claim for any injury which happens because a hotel fails in their duty of care. Below are some of the more common hotel accident and injury claims we deal with.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for a slip trip or fall?

You might be able to claim compensation for a slip, trip or fall if it happens because the hotel fails to clean a spill or repair a damaged floor. If you slip, trip or fall as a result of negligence then injuries like broken bones, whiplash and trauma could form part of your claim.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for food poisoning?

You might be able to claim compensation for food poisoning if the hotel serves food which hasn’t been properly cooked or is served or prepared in unhygienic conditions.

The symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to severe and long lasting. The severity of your food poisoning symptoms will be reflected in any compensation awarded.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for defective equipment?

Yes, you might be able to claim compensation if equipment in the hotel hasn’t been repaired or maintained properly and you suffer an injury as a result. Examples could include faulty equipment in a hotel gym or a hotel room chair which collapses when you sit in it.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for a bed bug infestation?

Yes, you might be able to claim compensation if your hotel bed is infested with bugs because it hasn’t been cleaned or inspected properly. Bed bug bites could become infected and cause scarring, which will be included in the claim.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for a poorly maintained lift or escalator?

Yes, you might be able to claim compensation if the lift or escalator in a hotel is poorly maintained and causes an injury. Accidents could include falling when a lift stops too suddenly, or getting trapped by lift doors which close without warning.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim for burning or scalding?

You might be able to make a hotel accident claim for burning or scalding if overly hot food or drink is spilled on you by a member of staff or another guest. Other claims might involve poorly labelled hot taps or malfunctioning showers.

You might be able to make a hotel accident compensation claim for any injury which happens because a hotel acted negligently. If your accident isn’t included in the list above contact our specialist solicitors to find out if you could be eligible to claim.

Can I make a no win no fee hotel accident compensation claim?

Yes, you can make a no win no fee claim for a hotel accident. Claiming with Beacon Law will cost nothing up-front, and nothing as we gather evidence and negotiate on your behalf. We operate on a no win no fee basis, which means we only take a fee if and when your compensation claim is successful.

The success fee we take will never be more than 25% of the money you receive. If your claim is unsuccessful, expenses like the legal costs of the other party will be covered by After The Event (ATE) insurance we take out for you.

You won’t have to pay anything unless there are exceptional circumstances. These include if you have misled us, have exaggerated your claim, or been dishonest.

We work on a no win no fee basis so you can make a hotel accident compensation claim without having to worry about costs or legal fees. As long as you have a strong case for compensation, we’ll work to make it happen.

What should I do following a hotel accident?

You should do the following immediately after being injured in an accident at a hotel:

• You should report the accident to the hotel and make sure the details are recorded in the official accident book.
• You should seek medical attention to treat your injuries and create an official record of the accident.
• You should take photographs of the scene of your hotel accident. Focus on factors such as wet floors, loose tiles, broken furniture etc.
• Collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed your hotel accident.
• Contact the expert hotel accident solicitors at Beacon Law. If we think you have a claim for compensation we’ll get to work on your behalf.

Can I make a hotel accident compensation claim if the accident happened abroad?

Yes, you might still be able to claim if your hotel accident happened abroad. If you booked a package holiday then the claim will be made against your UK tour operator.

If you booked directly with a hotel abroad then your Beacon Law solicitors might work with local solicitors to make a compensation claim.

How long do I have to make a compensation claim for a hotel accident abroad?

Personal injury claims of almost all kinds in the UK come with a three year time limit from the date of any accident. If you’re claiming directly from a hotel based in another country then the time limit may differ.

Contact our hotel accident solicitors to discuss the details of your case, and we’ll advise on the time limits in the country in question.

Can I claim compensation for a hotel accident if my holiday wasn’t part of a package deal?

Yes, you might still be able to make a compensation claim for a hotel accident if you booked your flights and hotel stay independently. The claim will have to be made against the hotel directly, and we can advise on any differences in the law in a particular country.

How long will my hotel accident compensation claim take?

The length of time your hotel accident compensation claim is likely to take will vary. For simple claims where negligence is clear it could be around 12 months.

Cases with more serious injuries requiring a full understanding of future care and medical needs could take as long as two to three years. Throughout the process we’ll update you on the progress of your compensation claim and how long we think it will take.

Why should I choose Beacon Law for my hotel accident compensation claim?

You should choose Beacon Law for your hotel accident compensation claim because we have more than 200 years’ worth of combined legal expertise. This expertise will be applied to your claim, whether it’s a slip, trip or fall, a broken bone or a case of food poisoning.

We take pride in settling the majority of hotel accident claims we handle without having to go to court. We understand how to prove negligence, how to build a claim and exactly what you’re entitled to claim for.

We also treat each claimant as an individual, helping them to access wider support and treatment while we work to win compensation.

Our no win no fee approach means that you can make your claim without having to think about costs and affordability. If you’ve been let down you can seek compensation without any risk of being left out of pocket.

If you’ve been injured in a hotel accident that wasn’t your fault then contact us today. If you have a strong claim we’ll work with you to make it even stronger.