Personal Injury - Accidents Abroad

What happens if my accident takes place offshore or abroad?

If you are injured while on holiday abroad and you were on a package holiday then you may have a claim against the tour operator.

If you booked flights and accommodation separately, you will have to sue the person or company responsible abroad, in the foreign courts.

If you are working for a company abroad that is based in the UK, the general rule is that your claim would take place in the courts of the country where the accident occurred. However, this rule can be overcome if there are significant factors which connect the injury to another country.

The domicile or place of business of the employer would help to decide which country is more appropriate to go to court. Therefore, it is likely that the employer would be sued in the UK courts. If the company has a registered place of business in the United States, it may be profitable to try and sue there in light of the higher compensation awards. Foreign territorial waters are regarded as part of the appropriate country. If you are to sue abroad, it is important to bear in mind that different jurisdictions have different time bars and procedural rules.