What to Do If You’re Injured on Vacation

Vacations are meant for rest and adventure, but injuries can and do happen when travelers least expect them. Slips at a hotel pool, car accidents abroad, food poisoning, or water activities gone wrong can quickly turn a trip into a stressful ordeal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Health Information for International Travel (Yellow Book 2026), thousands of U.S. travelers face medical emergencies abroad every year. In fact, between 2019 and 2021, more than 1,500 U.S. citizens died overseas from non-natural causes, with motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause. Many countries also lack the emergency care standards that travelers are used to at home, which can make even minor injuries more complicated.

If you ever find yourself injured while on vacation, knowing what steps to take right away can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through what to do after an accident, how travel insurance fits in, and when you may have a right to compensation.

What Happens if You Injure Yourself in Another Country?

Getting injured abroad comes with challenges you may not face at home. Beyond the stress of the accident itself, you’ll need to navigate the following:

Healthcare systems abroad

Some countries have excellent private hospitals with English-speaking staff, while others rely on underfunded public systems with limited resources. In rural areas, advanced trauma care might be hours away. Knowing where the nearest hospital or clinic is before you travel can save valuable time.

Role of the embassy or consulate

If you’re seriously injured, contacting the U.S. embassy or consulate can help. While they cannot pay your bills, they can provide lists of trusted hospitals, communicate with family back home, and help you understand local legal or medical processes.

Differences in laws and patient rights

Injured travelers may face very different legal protections depending on the country. Some destinations may require official police reports before you can pursue claims, while others have strict rules about liability that affect your ability to recover compensation. Always ask for copies of any medical records or legal documents issued to you abroad.

Paying for treatment

Without travel insurance, you may need to cover medical bills in cash or by credit card before treatment continues. This is especially true for private hospitals catering to tourists. Keep every receipt, as insurers will need proof of what you spent.

Being prepared for these differences can make a stressful situation more manageable and help you avoid delays in getting the treatment you need.

So, Can I Claim Compensation for an Injury on Holiday?

The answer often depends on where the injury happened, who was in charge, and what safety steps were ignored.

Here’s how to break it down:

Who You Might Hold Responsible for Your Injury While on Vacation

Different businesses and providers may owe you a duty of care. Claims often involve:

• Hotels or resorts that left unsafe conditions like broken tiles, missing handrails, or slippery walkways.
• Tour operators or excursion companies that skipped safety briefings, provided faulty equipment, or used careless local vendors.
• Transportation providers such as shuttles, taxis, or rideshares when unsafe driving caused a crash.
• Cruise lines for onboard or tender accidents, often under maritime law.
• Airlines for international flight injuries, sometimes covered by the Montreal Convention.
• Rental hosts (Airbnb, villas, private rentals) if they failed to fix known hazards or warn you.

What You’ll Need to Show

To make a successful claim for your vacation injury, you usually need to prove four things:

• The provider had a duty to keep you reasonably safe.
• They failed to meet that duty by ignoring risks or skipping safety steps.
• Their failure directly caused your injury.
• You suffered losses, such as medical bills, lost income, or long-term harm.

Rules That Can Affect Your Case

Not all claims follow the same rules. Some situations have extra layers:

• International flights follow the Montreal Convention, which has a strict 2-year deadline.
• Cruise tickets often require written notice within 6 months and lawsuits within 1 year, usually in a specific court.
• Local laws abroad can shorten deadlines to as little as a few months.
• Taxi or shuttle crashes overseas may involve both the driver’s insurer and the tour company that arranged the ride.

Waivers and Fine Print

Many countries don’t allow waivers to excuse gross negligence or protect against harm to minors. Also check for hidden contract clauses, like where the case must be filed or which country’s law applies.

What Compensation Can You Recover After Being Injured on Vacation?

If your claim succeeds, you may be able to recover:

• Medical expenses and emergency transport costs.
• Lost income if your injury kept you from work.
• Long-term care costs such as therapy or assistive devices.
• Pain and suffering damages, depending on the law that applies.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Injuries During Travel?

Travel insurance can be a lifeline if you’re injured while away from home, but coverage depends on the details of your policy.

Standard travel insurance usually pays for emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and even medical evacuation if local facilities cannot treat your condition. Some plans also cover the cost of flying a companion to be with you or bringing you home for care.

However, policies often exclude high-risk activities like scuba diving, skiing, or skydiving unless you pay for an adventure sports add-on. Injuries tied to alcohol, drugs, or untreated pre-existing conditions may also be denied.

Before your trip, read your insurance documents closely. Check coverage limits, exclusions, and the steps you must follow to make a claim. Carry a copy of your policy and emergency contact numbers with you, so you’re not left scrambling if something goes wrong.

Can You Fly Home with an Injury?

Many travelers wonder if they can still board a plane after getting hurt. The answer depends on the type and severity of your injury, but here’s what you generally need to know:

• Medical clearance requirements:  Most airlines require a doctor’s note or “fit-to-fly” certificate if you’ve had surgery, have a serious condition, or need special care during the flight
• Flight restrictions:  Passengers with full-leg casts, broken bones, or fresh surgical wounds may be restricted from flying until cleared by a doctor
• Waiting periods:  Some injuries require you to wait a set number of days before boarding, especially if there’s a risk of blood clots or swelling
• Available assistance:  Airlines can arrange wheelchairs, priority boarding, extra seating space, or even oxygen if requested in advance

Always notify the airline of your condition as soon as possible to make sure accommodations are ready when you arrive.

Take the Stress Out of a Vacation Injury With Thompson Law’s Guidance

Dealing with an injury on vacation is overwhelming enough without the added burden of confusing insurance policies, foreign laws, and endless paperwork. The last thing you should worry about while trying to recover is navigating complicated legal systems or fighting with travel companies.

At Thompson Law, we help travelers understand their rights, handle insurance disputes, and pursue the compensation they deserve after being injured abroad. From hotel accidents to cruise ship claims and international transportation injuries, our team knows how to cut through the red tape so you can focus on healing.

Don’t let a vacation injury turn into a long-term financial or legal battle. Contact Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION and let us protect your rights while saving you from unnecessary legal headaches. We cover all areas of California, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas.