Sports injuries abroad claims

Many people enjoy playing sport for its health and fitness benefits. They like the feeling of being part of a team as well as the camaraderie, not to mention the competitiveness as well.

But all sports come with a degree of risk. People who undertake these activities understand that and look at ways of minimising those risks. But situations occur in which someone becomes injured due to a lack of care on someone else’s part.

Owners of sports facilities, fitness centres, sporting venues etc have a degree of responsibility to their clients. They should have health and safety measures in place to reduce the risk of an accident.

But if these break down then the consequences can be severe. This can be a career ending injury or a permanent disability which will impact upon the rest of your life.

Risks of a sports injury abroad

A sports injury can occur in any of the following places:

• Hotel swimming pool
• Hotel gym or fitness centre
• Tennis courts
• Watersports, e.g. waterskiing or windsurfing
• Training camp, e.g. triathlon

An injury can occur for a variety of reasons. We know that it happens to athletes who are competing at the very highest levels and in another country; but it can also occur in a leisure complex or during an organised activity, e.g. bicycle ride.

It can occur as a result of faulty equipment, a poor playing surface or from an aggressive act by an opponent.

If you are on a package holiday and take part in an organised sport then the travel company has a duty of care towards you. If they fail in this and you become injured then you can make a claim for compensation.

Do this if you have sustained a personal injury as a result of an accident which was not your fault.

Making a claim for compensation from a sports injury aboard

Obtain advice from a personal injury lawyer, solicitor or claims management company. They can advise you about the issues in dealing with international law in these types of cases; and if there is a time limit when making a claim as this varies from country to another.

You will be asked to provide evidence of the accident and if you have reported your injury to a doctor. This is important as you will be asked to provide a medical report if the case goes to court. Plus this will improve your chances of success in a compensation claim.

A claim can be made against the person who caused your accident, the travel company or the leisure complex/sporting venue.

A personal injury law firm will have people trained in this area of compensation who will be able to advise you on what action to take, and what the claims process will entail.

The claims process is also covered in detail in this guide. Visit our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a sports injury abroad

This can vary between individual countries. In most compensation claims there is a 3 year time limit from the date of the accident but you will need to check with your lawyer about this.

If you have become injured through sport whilst in the UK then visit our sports injuries section.

If you have sustained a sports injury at a gym or fitness centre whilst in the UK then visit our others section.