Getting injured while on holiday can be a total nightmare, especially if it wasn’t your fault. You should be soaking up the sun and having…
Claim compensation for a campsite accident
If you’ve been injured while camping and somebody else was at fault, you could be eligible to make a campsite accident compensation claim.
We are a claims management company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Campsite Accident Claims
If you’ve suffered an injury or illness at a campsite that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a campsite accident claim and receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
Campsites are popular destinations for holidays and weekend getaways, where visitors usually have a fun and relaxing time. However, poor maintenance of the campsite can lead to various accidents, including slips, trips, electrical shocks and swimming pool injuries.
If your holiday was disrupted because of someone else’s negligence, our team of solicitors are here to help. They offer a free case assessment and a no win no fee service if you have a valid claim.
If you believe you may be eligible to claim compensation for a campsite accident, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free consultation or use our online claim form to request a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Table of Contents
What is the duty of campsite owners towards visitors?
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, campsite owners and operators must take reasonable steps to ensure that guests are safe while using the premises. These duties include:
- Maintain the area in a safe condition, free from hazards like potholes, loose paving or slippery surfaces.
- Conduct regular risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate identified risks.
- Provide adequate lighting in all areas.
- Use visible and proper signage to warn visitors of known dangers.
- Take special care to protect children on the premises.
- Display clear health and safety rules on the camping site.
- Carry out regular inspections and maintenance of equipment.
- Ensure good hygiene in all facilities, including toilets, cooking areas and serving areas.
If you suffer harm at a campsite due to a breach of duty, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim.
Am I eligible to make a campsite accident claim?
To find out if you can proceed with a campsite compensation claim, all you need to do is contact our team of personal injury solicitors.
They will offer you a free consultation over the phone and ask you a few questions to determine whether:
- The campsite operator owed you a legal duty of care to ensure your safety.
- They breached their duty of care towards you through negligence or omission.
- Their negligence led to your campsite accident.
- You suffered an injury or illness as a result.
- You are within the legal time limit to start a claim (typically three years).
If these elements can be established and supported by evidence, you could make a personal injury claim against the campsite.
What should I do if I want to claim compensation for a campsite injury?
There are a few steps you should take if you’ve had an accident at a caravan park or campsite. These will help if you want to claim personal injury compensation later:
- Get immediate medical treatment for your injuries, even if they seem minor at first.
- Report the incident to the campsite manager or staff and ensure it’s logged in the accident book.
- Gather evidence at the scene, such as photos and videos of hazards and your injuries.
- Ask for the contact details of witnesses who can later provide a statement to support your case.
- Write down details about how the accident occurred, your injuries and how they have affected your life.
- Keep all records of financial losses and expenses incurred, such as lost wages or prescription costs.
- Contact a solicitor who can advise you on your rights, help you gather further evidence, and guide you through the claims process.
What accidents could happen at campsites and caravan parks?
If adequate safety measures are not in place, various types of accidents may happen at campsites, including:
- Slips, trips and falls on wet floors, uneven paving stones or potholes.
- Swimming pool accidents can be caused by a lack of supervision or faulty drains.
- Playground accidents due to poorly maintained equipment or a lack of protective mats.
- Vehicle accidents caused by a lack of road signage or speed control measures.
- Injuries from defective equipment and facilities, such as collapsing furniture.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty gas heaters or appliances.
- Injuries from exposed nails, debris or sharp edges.
- Electrocution from faulty outlets, electrical cables or appliances.
- Illnesses caused by contaminated food or water.
- Theft and assaults because of a lack of security measures.
If you’ve had an accident due to the campsite operator’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer could help you claim compensation to cover your pain, suffering and financial losses.
Examples of campsite injuries that could lead to a compensation claim
You may be able to claim compensation for any type of injuries suffered at a campsite, as long as they were due to someone else’s negligence, including:
- Soft tissue injuries, such as muscle strains and ligament sprains.
- Broken bones caused by falls or impact trauma.
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
- Back injuries, such as herniated discs or spinal fractures.
- Burns and scalds from fires or faulty appliances.
- Cuts and lacerations caused by falls, debris or broken glass.
- Food poisoning and allergic reactions to food and other irritants.
- Crush injuries caused by falling objects or entrapment.
- Psychological injuries following a traumatic accident or assault.
Can I make a claim if I was injured working at a campsite?
If you work at a campsite, your employer owes you a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This duty applies whether you work at a smaller campsite or one of the most famous ones in the UK, such as:
- Syke Farm Campsite
- Petruth Paddocks
- Acorn Glamping and Camping
- Cofton Holidays Campsite
- Highertown Farm Campsite
Examples of employer negligence that could entitle you to make a workplace accident claim as a campsite employee include:
- Failing to provide adequate training and supervision.
- Not conducting risk assessments for your tasks.
- Providing faulty or poorly maintained equipment.
- Failing to identify and manage hazards.
- Failing to provide personal protective equipment when necessary.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, it is your legal right to claim compensation for a workplace injury. Your employer cannot sack you or treat you differently for making a claim. If they did retaliate, you could potentially make a further claim for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal.
Evidence needed to support a campsite injury compensation claim
To make a successful campsite injury claim, you need various types of evidence to prove how the accident occurred and the harm and losses it has caused you. This could include evidence such as:
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- CCTV or dashcam footage can show precisely how the accident occurred, if available.
- A signed copy of the accident report that you filed with the campsite management.
- Statements from witnesses who saw what happened or were aware of unsafe conditions at the campsite.
- A copy of a police report, if you were the victim of a crime.
- Your medical records, proving the type and severity of your injuries and the treatments received.
- Your testimony about the incident and how it has affected your life.
- Related financial records, such as receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, invoices and payslips.
How much compensation can I claim for an accident on a campsite?
The amount of compensation you could be entitled to for your accident and injuries will be calculated based on two types of damages:
- General damages depend on the type of injuries you sustained and cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity they have caused you. These are based on the Judicial College guidelines.
- Special damages cover financial losses and expenses related to the accident or injury, such as loss of earnings due to time off work or private medical treatments such as physiotherapy. They are based on evidence such as receipts and payslips.
Can I make a personal injury claim on behalf of a loved one?
Yes, you could claim compensation for a loved one if they had an accident on a campsite and:
- They are a child under the age of 18.
- They lack the mental capacity to make a claim themselves due to an injury, illness or disability.
To claim on their behalf, you must be appointed as their litigation friend by the court. For this, you must complete a certificate of suitability, stating that you can make fair and competent decisions and that there is no conflict of interest between you and the claimant.
A solicitor can help you file a claim for your loved one and guide you throughout the process.
Is there a time limit to make a campsite injury claim?
You typically have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim for compensation under the Limitation Act 1980. There are a few exceptions:
- You can make a child injury claim anytime before the child’s 18th birthday, after which they have until 21 to start a claim themselves.
- The time limit is suspended if the injured party lacks the mental capacity to start legal proceedings.
Regardless of the time limit, we would advise you to start a claim as soon as possible, as this will help your solicitor gather supporting evidence and build the strongest case possible.
How long will my campsite accident claim take?
A claim following a campsite accident can take anywhere from a few months to multiple years to reach a conclusion, depending on factors such as:
- The severity of your injuries and their long-term effects.
- The defendant’s willingness to negotiate.
- The availability of evidence to support your claim.
- The need for court proceedings.
Your solicitor will aim to settle your claim in the shortest time possible and secure interim payments for any immediate financial needs.
Can I claim for a camping accident on a no win no fee basis?
If you are entitled to compensation following an accident at a campsite, the solicitors we partner with will be happy to offer you a no win no fee service. This means there is no financial risk to you, because:
- You pay no legal fees to begin your claim.
- If you lose, you don’t owe your solicitor a single penny.
- Your solicitor will only get a success fee if you receive compensation for your injuries. This fee is deducted from your settlement and capped at 25% of the award for past financial losses and general damages.
To find out if you can make a no win no fee claim for a campsite accident, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free case assessment or request a call back.
