Purchasing a package holiday should offer a sense of security. When you buy flights, accommodations, and other services as part of a booking, your tour operator has a legal duty to make sure everything included is safe and properly maintained. If an accident happens because those standards were not met, you may be able to bring a claim in the UK. Marley Solicitors can guide you through the process and explain your rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

What counts as a package holiday

A holiday is usually classed as a package when at least two services, such as flights and accommodation, are sold together for one price through the same operator. Popular companies like TUI, Jet2Holidays, Virgin Holidays, and LoveHolidays all offer this type of booking. If your confirmation shows that the trip was sold as a package, and the accommodation or transfer formed part of the booking, the regulations are likely to apply.

When you may be able to claim

To claim in the UK, the accident must have happened during a part of the holiday included in the package itself. Common examples involve poorly maintained hotel flooring, unsafe poolside surfaces, broken steps around the resort, or food poisoning from hotel meals supplied as part of the booking. Transfer accidents can also qualify if the transport was arranged by the tour operator. Excursions may be covered only when they were included in the original package, not if booked independently while abroad.

Claims only cover things that were part of your package holiday. The important point is whether the tour operator was responsible for the service or facility where your accident took place.

Why you can usually claim in the UK

One of the big advantages of the Package Travel Regulations is that you can bring your claim here in the UK, even if the accident happened abroad. You don’t have to get involved with foreign courts or overseas insurance companies. The UK tour operator is legally responsible for making sure everything included in your package meets proper safety standards, so your claim is handled against them on home soil.

What your compensation can cover

The amount you receive depends entirely on how the injury affected you. It can include:

Pain and suffering
Medical treatment (whether abroad or back in the UK)
Loss of earnings
Extra travel costs
The way the injury spoiled the rest of your holiday

For more serious injuries, compensation can also cover future treatment, care or rehabilitation. At Marley Solicitors, we look carefully at every aspect of your situation to make sure nothing is missed and you receive the full amount you’re entitled to.

Evidence that helps your case

Anything you have can make a real difference:

Photos of the hazard or unsafe area
Pictures of your injuries
The hotel’s incident or accident report
Medical records from abroad
Receipts for any extra expenses
Contact details of witnesses

Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to collect everything at the time – many people don’t. We can still take a look and often help track down additional evidence.

Who can claim?

You’ll usually have a claim if:

Your holiday was sold as a package (flight + hotel, or flight + transfer + hotel, etc.)
The accident was caused by sub-standard services that formed part of that package
You suffered injury, illness or financial loss as a result

You normally have three years to start a claim, but it’s always best to get in touch as early as possible.

How we can help at Marley Solicitors

We start by looking at your booking paperwork and listening to what happened. Once we’re satisfied it qualifies as a package holiday, we’ll gather the evidence, put your claim together and deal with the tour operator on your behalf. The good news is that most cases settle through negotiation – there’s rarely any need to go to court. We keep things straightforward, explain everything clearly and update you at every step.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim if the hotel was at fault?
Yes – the UK tour operator is responsible for the hotel and other services in the package, even if the hotel itself caused the problem.

Does food poisoning count?
Yes, as long as the food was provided by a hotel or restaurant that was part of your package.

What about excursions?
Only if the excursion was booked through and formed part of the original package. Trips you arranged separately while away are normally not covered.

Do I have to deal with foreign insurers?
No. Your claim is brought against the UK-based tour operator.

Speak to us today

If an accident or injury at your hotel – or anywhere else that was part of your package holiday – spoiled your trip, we’re here to help. Contact Marley Solicitors for a free, no-obligation review of your situation and honest advice on whether you have a claim.