01908 881058 info@timeshareconsumerassociation.org.uk Donate

A new avenue for claiming personal injury has opened up in the public arena and there are some important messages consumers need to know before they agree to make a claim for ‘being sick whilst on holiday’

The British Travel Agent Association has revealed from a YouGov survey in the UK that up to 9.5 million adults have been approached regarding claiming compensation for being sick whilst they were on holiday.

Consumers are being contacted in various different ways by claims management companies who are encouraging them to make a claim for being ill whilst they have been on holiday. The contact is coming via the telephone, email, text message and social media. Some are even being approached in airports and whilst wandering on their holidays.

There are allegations that people are being contacted unexpectedly and coaxed into make claims even when they haven’t been ill. This can lead to serious ramifications that the public is not being made aware of and the consequences are severe. There is a loophole in the law which allows claims management companies and legal firms to make more money in fees than they are able to with more traditional personal injury claims.

Unfortunately what they are not being told is that if they make a false claim it is FRAUD. And they can be prosecuted, which may result in a prison sentence (up to 3 years) a large fine and a criminal record, now the question they need to ask, is it really worth it? It seems when researched that 70% of those surveyed had no idea that a false claim could lead to a prison sentence and a serious criminal record for fraud.

In the UK in 2017 two people from Merseyside were found guilty of making a fraudulent claim and respectively sentenced to nine months and fifteen months in prison.

The new ‘sickness’ claim culture is costing the travel industry millions of pounds and is hindering the reputation of British holiday makers abroad.

ABTA is seeking support from the UK government to clamp down on these false sickness claims, which they have previously promised to do and it is hoped that this will happen before the main holiday period of 2018. Hopefully if it comes in time, there will be more structured guidelines for dealing with claims for sickness whilst abroad. There is also a request that the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill includes a ban on cold calling for personal injury claims by claims management companies. That should go to the House of Commons early this year.

If you have a genuine claim for sickness whilst you have been on holiday, then please make sure you are dealing with a reputable claims management company and they are clear and concise about the steps you need to take and the possible investigation into your illness.

If you’ve not been sick and been contacted, do the right thing and don’t make a claim. It may be tempting and you may see it as an easy way to make a quick buck, however is it worth the risk of a prison sentence!

For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk