Skip to main content

Hotel accident claims

If you were injured in a hotel through no fault of your own, whether in the UK or abroad, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. Our specialist hotel accident lawyers have been helping clients on a No Win, No Fee basis for over 40 years.

  • Black badge icon with a star inside a circle representing 40 years TOP-RANKED LEGAL EXPERTS CHAMBERS & LEGAL 500
  • Black shield icon with a check mark inside symbolising no-win-no-fee NO WIN, NO FEE

Author

Ross Smith

International Injuries Team Lead

Reviewer

Jamil Mohammed

Solicitor

Last Updated

14th July 2026

Can I make a hotel accident claim?

Hotel accident claims can be made when you’ve been injured at a hotel, or any other holiday accommodation, because the hotel failed in its duty of care to you. That failure might involve unsafe facilities or staff who didn’t act as they should have. If you were involved in an accident and it was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim.

Where your accident took place affects how your claim is pursued. If you were staying in a UK hotel, your lawyer will bring the claim directly against the hotel. If your accident happened abroad, your legal team may work with overseas lawyers to pursue the hotel in the country where it is based. If you were injured on a package holiday, your lawyer will bring the claim against your UK tour operator under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This means your case can be heard in England, under English law, even if the accident happened overseas.

Common scenarios that lead to a hotel accident claim include slips, trips or falls on wet or uneven floors, as well as accidents in swimming pools. You may also be injured by broken furniture or unsafe balconies. Some claims involve mistakes by hotel staff or unsafe behaviour from other guests, which can result in more serious incidents.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, or if some time has passed since your accident, it’s still worth speaking to us. In most cases you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim, but there are exceptions to this particularly for accidents abroad. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a case.

Example of a hotel accident claim

A guest slips on a wet poolside surface at an overseas resort, fracturing their wrist and missing several weeks of work. The hotel had no non-slip matting in place and no warning signs. If the hotel failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a foreseeable hazard, this could form the basis of a valid hotel accident claim.

Expertise you can trust

  • 9/10 clients would recommend us
  • 4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months
  • Dedicated rehabilitation and wellbeing team

What compensation can help with

Reception bell on hotel counter with blurred staff and guest in background
Recovering lost income and covering future care

Compensation can help with a multitude of things. With the goal to support your recovery and ensure you aren’t worried about finances throughout, compensation aims to reasonably put you back in the position you would be in had the accident never happened.

Your compensation might cover:

  • General damages cover your pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
  • How the injury has affected your daily life, physically and emotionally
  • Special damages reimburse you for any financial losses
  • Unpaid work time and expenses you have had to pay
  • Our team will work to make sure every aspect of the impact on your life is properly accounted for.
Understanding the potential value

Compensation for your hotel injury claim will depend on the severity of your injuries and their longterm impact. One client we acted for was injured in a Jet2 hotel in Gran Canaria. We secured £30,000 for her after she slipped in a dark, waterlogged corridor, suffering multiple fractures and lasting mobility issues.

Why choose Fletchers for your hotel accident claim?

Hotel accident claims can be legally complex. The applicable law and the whole process can differ depending on where the accident happened. Having the right team around you matters. At Fletchers, our international injuries specialists have handled hotel accident claims across the UK and around the world, and they know how to navigate every route to getting you the outcome you deserve.

Expertise you can rely on

  • Specialist hotel and holiday accident lawyers, with over 40 years of experience in travel-related injury claims
  • Experts in Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, Montreal Convention, and international injury law
  • Experience handling complex overseas hotel claims, working with trusted lawyers in other jurisdictions where needed
  • Successful outcomes secured in high-value and contested hotel accident cases across the UK, Europe, and beyond
  • Clear communication at every stage so there are no surprises
  • No win, no fee, so you can pursue your claim without any upfront financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

A hotel accident can turn what should have been a holiday, or a stay away from home, into something frightening and difficult. Whether your injury was minor or serious, the experience of being hurt in an unfamiliar place can be deeply unsettling. And if your injury has had lasting effects such as on your work or on your confidence, the impact can be even greater than first realised.

We also understand the practical pressures that often follow like medical bills and time off work, and that the financial strain can feel as overwhelming as the injury itself. Many of the clients who come to us feel exactly that way at the start and what they all had in common was that they needed someone to listen and take their situation seriously, and then handle the hard work on their behalf.

We are here for you. From your first conversation with us, we will explain your options clearly, tell you honestly whether we think you have a case, and if you do, we will take on the full weight of the legal process so you can focus on getting better. We will keep you informed at every stage and fight for compensation that truly reflects what you have been through.

FAQs about hotel accident claims

Can I claim if my hotel accident happened abroad?

If you booked a package holiday, you can usually claim against your UK tour operator under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This means that if your case goes to court, an English judge will apply English law and assess the case based on UK safety standards, even though your accident happened overseas.

If your holiday was not a package, your lawyer may pursue the hotel directly in the country where it is based, working with trusted overseas lawyers where needed. We will advise you on the best route for your specific situation.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

You may still be able to claim. If you were partly responsible for your accident, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility; this is a legal principle known as contributory negligence.

It does not automatically prevent you from making a claim. We will give you an honest assessment of how this applies to your case.

Do I need to complain to the hotel first?

You do not have to, but it can help. Reporting the accident to the hotel at the time and asking for a written accident report creates an official record that backs up your version of events.

If you did not do this at the time, do not worry, there are other ways to build your case, and we will advise you on what evidence will be most useful.

How long do hotel accident claims take?

It varies depending on the complexity of your case and whether liability is disputed. Our specialist legal teams will always give you a clearer picture once we understand the details of your situation.

What if my accident happened on an all-inclusive holiday?

All-inclusive holidays are usually booked as package holidays, which means the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 apply.

You can claim against your UK tour operator for injuries at the resort like accidents in the hotel, and incidents at the pool or other facilities.

What evidence is needed for a hotel accident claim?

Your legal team will gather much of the evidence on your behalf. They will request accident reports completed by hotel staff, medical records relating to your injury, and maintenance or cleaning records that show whether the hotel met its obligations.

You can also help your case by providing, if you have photographs or videos of the scene and your injuries. Witness statements from other guests or staff can also be helpful, as well as your travel documents and booking details. The more evidence available, the stronger your claim will be.

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

In most cases involving accidents in the UK, you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim. For accidents abroad, different time limits may apply depending on the country and how your holiday was booked.

If you are unsure, speak to us as soon as possible because the sooner we can assess your case, the better.

How much does it cost to make a hotel accident claim?

At Fletchers, we handle hotel accident claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. There are no upfront legal costs, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not owe us anything.

If we do secure compensation for you, you will pay an agreed fee. We explain everything clearly from your first contact with us, so there are never any surprises.

How do I prove fault in a hotel accident claim?

Your legal team will gather the evidence needed to support your case, including accident reports, medical records and maintenance or cleaning logs from the hotel.

You can help by providing photos or videos of the scene and your injuries, along with any witness statements or booking details. The stronger the evidence, the stronger your claim will be.

A national team, here when you need us

With offices across the UK, we’re never too far away, helping people access specialist advice and support wherever they are.

See our locations

You’re in safe hands

1/6
  • The Times Best Law Firm

    THE TIMES BEST LAW FIRM

  • Chambers Top Ranked Law Firm

    CHAMBERS TOP RANKED LAW FIRM

  • Legal 500 Top Tier Firm

    LEGAL 500 TOP TIER FIRM

  • Spinal Injuries Association - Trusted Legal Partner

    SIA - TRUSTED LEGAL PARTNER

  • Head Injury Solicitor

    HEADWAY ACCREDITED SOLICITORS

  • Child Brain Injury Trust - Trusted Legal Partner

    CBIT - TRUSTED LEGAL PARTNER

Young woman looking thoughtfully through the window into the garden
LET'S GET YOU STARTED

Start your claim with confidence

Not sure where to start? We’ll listen, guide you, and give clear, honest advice on what to do next.