Injured on Holiday or Abroad? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
A holiday accident or injury abroad can ruin far more than your trip. Slip and fall injuries at hotels, food poisoning from contaminated buffets, road accidents in unfamiliar countries, excursion injuries and cruise ship accidents can all result in serious harm, expensive medical treatment and lost earnings. Many Scottish residents do not realise they can claim compensation in the UK courts without ever having to return to the country where the accident happened.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles accident abroad claims for Scottish residents on a no win no fee basis. If you booked a package holiday through a UK tour operator, the tour operator is liable in the Scottish courts under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. There is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
| Injury Type | Typical Award |
|---|
| Minor injuries with full recovery | £2,000 - £10,000 |
| Moderate injuries — fractures, illness | £10,000 - £25,000 |
| Serious fractures or prolonged illness | £25,000 - £50,000+ |
| Road accident abroad — lasting injuries | £50,000 - £100,000+ |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for pain and suffering only.
That’s not all. Accident abroad settlements also include lost holiday costs, flight changes, overseas medical bills, repatriation costs, lost earnings during recovery, and ongoing treatment. Severe food poisoning can lead to long-term conditions such as reactive arthritis or irritable bowel syndrome, significantly increasing the claim value.
Types of Accident Abroad We Handle
Who Can Claim?
Any Scottish resident injured abroad through someone else’s negligence. The most common route is through the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 — if a UK tour operator arranged your holiday (flights + accommodation or transfers booked together), they are liable for injuries caused by their suppliers’ negligence. For road accidents in EU countries, claims can be pursued through the foreign insurer’s UK representative via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau green card system.
Accident Abroad Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Package holiday claims are brought against the UK tour operator in Scottish courts under the Package Travel Regulations 2018. Road accidents in EU countries can be pursued through the foreign insurer’s UK representative.
Minor injuries: £2,000-£10,000. Moderate: £10,000-£25,000. Serious: £25,000-£50,000+. Road accidents with lasting injuries: £50,000-£100,000+. Lost holiday costs, medical bills and repatriation on top.
3 years from the accident under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. Some foreign jurisdictions have shorter limits, so act quickly.
Not necessarily. Package holiday claims are brought against the UK tour operator in Scottish courts. EU road accidents can be pursued through the insurer’s UK representative.
Yes. The Package Travel Regulations 2018 remain UK law. The green card system and Motor Insurers’ Bureau arrangements for European road accidents continue to operate.
Package holiday accidents (hotel falls, pool injuries, excursion accidents), food poisoning, road traffic accidents, cruise ship injuries, and any accident where a UK tour operator arranged the travel.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back — all completely free and with no obligation. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by the Scottish Claims Helpline editorial team. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).