Personal Injury
Travel Accident Injury Lawyers

• Slips and falls on cruise ships, aeroplanes or at airports
• Accidents whilst on shore excursions or tours during a cruise
• Car accidents
• Bus accidents
• Boating accidents
• Accidents caused by construction defects at hotels
• Falling objects from overhead lockers on planes
• Injuries caused by activities such as skydiving, skiing, bungee jumping and jet skiing
• Aircraft accidents
• Scenic plane accidents

The duration of a claim depends on the unique circumstances of the accident and the injuries involved.

If a person has suffered complex or serious injuries that require extensive medical investigation and treatment, it can take years to finalise their claim because their medical condition needs to be stable before their claim can be finalised. A compensation claim is not only about what has happened in the past, it is also about an injured person’s most likely future circumstances, which cannot be adequately assessed before their medical condition is stable.

If the claim cannot be finalised through informal settlement negotiations, it can take years to go through the court process and to be allocated a hearing date. This is not only the situation in Australian courts. Overseas courts also tend to have a backlog of cases waiting for a hearing date.

Yes.

This is an especially complex question because when it comes to travel injury compensation claims, the time limit may be dictated by the law of another country and those laws may be completely different to Australian laws. If the law of another country applies, it is crucial to obtain reliable and verified advice from an expert in the law of that country. We have reputable contacts all over the world from whom we obtain advice and with whom we collaborate to ensure you receive the best service possible.

Even in New South Wales, different time limits apply depending on the type of accident. For example, the time limit that applies to an accident on an aeroplane at Sydney Airport, is different to the time limit that applies to a slip and fall on a cruise ship, where New South Wales law applies to the injured person’s booking.

Time limits are not straight forward and must be confirmed by an expert to avoid a late claim and to avoid potentially losing your right to claim compensation.

The answer to this question depends not only on how the accident happened but where, who was involved in the accident, and whether there is a contract in place that is relevant to the accident.

For example, if a person is injured in an accident when they are travelling on a tour bus as part of a tour they booked through a cruise company, they may be able to claim compensation from the tour company and the cruise company, as well as potentially the individual(s) whose driving caused the accident.

A person who is injured at an airport, for example, may be able to claim compensation from the airline with which they were travelling, or the airport itself, depending on where in the airport the accident happened and when in the boarding/disembarking process the accident happened.

Yes.

Unfortunately, the legal systems of some countries are extremely restrictive and do not allow individuals who are injured in accidents to claim compensation. There are also situations where even though there is a personal injury system in place, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to locate adequate legal representation to assist you with a claim.

On the other hand, there are also countries where the laws and legal systems are accessible and viable claims for compensation can be brought by Australians who were injured during their overseas travels.

You should contact us if you are unsure which law applies to your situation. We have reliable experts all over the world who may be able to assist you.

Representing yourself in a travel accident compensation claim is likely to involve a great deal of stress and complexity, on top of your already stressful situation.

Personal injury law is complex. Coupled with having to assess and determine the applicable overseas law, if you attempt to represent yourself without adequate expert advice, you are likely to run into trouble.

We can advise you on your potential rights, the strict time limits that apply as well as the best way to start and progress with your claim.

Claims are still progressing despite Covid-19. We are experiencing delays with some claims however this does not mean that claims cannot progress and be finalised.

If you have been injured in a travel accident before or since the Covid-19 pandemic began, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

In some travel accident claims, injured people can not only claim compensation for their diagnosed injuries but can also claim for their distress, disappointment and loss of enjoyment of their holiday.

In addition, there are situations where injured people can claim the cost of the portion of their holiday that was affected by the accident and their injuries, from the day they were injured, for all the days following the accident.