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How much compensation can I claim for injury in Sweden?

Holiday Accident Claims in Sweden

Holiday accident claim SwedenOn this page, you will find advice and information on how to make holiday accident claims in Sweden if you have suffered an injury or illness while on holiday.

It contains information that will help you deal with the emergency while you are on holiday in Sweden, and also details on what you should do to have the best chance of claiming holiday compensation when you return home to the UK.

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A Guide to Accident Claims in Sweden

This is a full and detailed guide to making holiday accident claims in Sweden. It covers two key areas; 1) how to deal with the emerging situation while you are on holiday in Sweden, and 2) what to do to maximise your chances of successfully making a claim for holiday compensation when you return to the UK.

Almost a million UK tourists visit Sweden each year, either on short breaks or for longer holidays. Sweden is one of the most popular winter sports destinations in Europe. Most UK holidaymakers return home safely after visiting Sweden. However, a small percentage become the victim of an accident, contract and illness or sustain an injury while they are on holiday in Sweden. This guide to claiming holiday compensation is aimed at helping this minority.

Within this guide to making holiday compensation claims for injuries and illness that happened while on holiday in Sweden, you will find:

  • Information on the steps you need to take to make sure you have the best chance possible of claiming holiday compensation for an accident, illness or injury that occurred while you were on holiday in Sweden. We cover all of the things you should do while you are still in Sweden and all of the things you should do when you return home to the UK.
  • Contact telephone numbers for all of the emergency services in Sweden, so that you can deal with the emergency as it happens while you are on holiday in Sweden. We have also included the contact number for the British Embassy.
  • Instructions on how to get medical treatment and gain access to healthcare services as a UK citizen on holiday in Sweden.
  • A table that details all of the time-limits that are in place with regard to how long you have to claim holiday compensation for something that happened while you were on vacation in Sweden.
  • An overview of the UK legislation that protects consumers from the actions of an unscrupulous package holiday and tour vendor operating in the UK.
  • An explanation of the most common types of accidents, injuries and illnesses we see people who have been on holiday claim compensation for on their return to the UK.
  • An introduction the national claims service we operate here at Legal Expert that is the simplest, most risk-free way for you to claim holiday compensation for an accident, illness or injury that occurred while you were visiting Sweden. We also explain how our No Win No Fee holiday compensation claims service works.

Legal Expert has a track record going back more than three decades, of claiming significant holiday compensation payments for our clients, across a wide range of different types of claims. If you would like to find out how our No Win No Fee holiday claims service works, then give us a call on the number at the bottom of this page.

What to Do If You Have an Accident or Are Injured in Sweden

If you have an accident, are injured, or become sick while you are on holiday in Sweden, then your Sweden holiday insurance may cover some or all of the costs of receiving treatment. It won’t compensate you for a ruined holiday and other longer-term damages such as loss of earning if you have to take time off work. For these kinds of damages, you will need to claim holiday compensation. The steps below, covering both those you can do while still on holiday in Sweden, and those you can do when you get home the UK, will make sure you have the best chance of winning a holiday compensation claim.

Steps to take while you are still in Sweden:

  • Make sure that you receive proper medical treatment for any injury or illness, there are details on how to access the healthcare system in Sweden as a UK citizen farther down this page. Make sure you write down the names of any doctors who treat you, and you can also ask for a copy of your medical file when you are discharged from the hospital.
  • If you intend to claim for any private healthcare on your medical or travel insurance, then contact your insurance firm and let them know.
  • If you booked our holiday while you were in the UK from a UK based tour or package holiday company, then you must let them know that you have been incurred or become sick. You can either speak to the local travel rep or call the company. Be sure to write down the names of anyone you speak to.
  • If you are involved in an accident such as a car crash while you are on holiday in Sweden, then you need to make sure that the police are informed of it. If they don’t turn up at the scene of the accident, you should either call them or report the accident at the local police station. Write down the names of any police officers you speak to.

Steps to take when you return to the UK:

  • Call your insurance firm and let them know you are back in the UK, and that there should be no more overseas medical bills.
  • Go and visit your GP or the local hospital to have your illness or injury checked over. This will also make sure that the injury or illness is recorded within the UK health system.
  • If you previously notified your UK holiday company of the accident, injury or illness, then call them once you are home to make sure that have all the details and facts of the incident.
  • Call Legal Expert on the number at the bottom of this page to learn how our No Win No Fee claims service can help you to get the compensation you are eligible for.

The two links below give more detailed information on claiming for overseas accidents, and claiming from a package holiday company:

Claiming holiday compensation for accidents that happened overseas

Claiming for holiday compensation against UK based travel vendors

How to Contact the Emergency Services in Sweden

If you suffer from are possible to make. However, the first concern is to deal with the emergency while you are still on holiday in Sweden. Below you will find the phone numbers of the emergency services in Sweden and also the British Embassy if you need help from the UK Government while on holiday.

  • General emergency line – 112 – you will be asked which emergency service you need.
  • SOS alarm – 113 13 – this is for non-emergency use, such as reporting a road traffic accident.
  • Medical advice hotline – 1177.
  • Local police – 11 414 – for non-emergency use only.
  • British Embassy Stockholm – +46 (0)8 671 30 00.

The numbers above will help you carry out the steps we previously outlined, to give you the best chance of winning a holiday compensation claim, such as:

  • Receiving proper medical care.
  • Informing your package holiday company.
  • Informing your insurance firm.
  • Contacting the police to report an accident.

Medical Treatment After an Accident in Sweden

If you have suffered an injury abroad what to do is not always initially apparent. You don’t know how the local health services operate, and you don’t know where the local healthcare facilities are.

Sweden participates in the reciprocal healthcare scheme with many other European countries, using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you are a UK citizen who is injured or becomes sick while on holiday in Sweden, as long as you have a valid EHIC you can gain access to free healthcare in Sweden and expect to receive the same medical treatment as Swedish nationals. However, EHIC doesn’t cover ever cost of medical care, some things are explicitly excluded such as:

  • Medical repatriation back to the UK.
  • Ongoing treatment as an outpatient.
  • Non-emergency dental care and surgery.

If you try to use your EHIC for any of the reasons above, you will be denied and asked to pay the medical costs yourself. If you don’t have your EHIC with you on holiday in Sweden, or you have lost it, then you can call +44 191 218 1999 and speak to the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare who will issue you a Provisional Replacement Certificate. Applying for an EHIC is simple, you just following the link below to begin the process.

Apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Another option for receiving medical treatment while you are on holiday in Sweden is to use the services of a private healthcare provider. You will need to pay the medical bills yourself unless you have a health or travel insurance policy that will cover the costs. Be warned, you must contact your insurance firm to pre-approve any medical treatment that you need to be administered. Failure to do so could leave you having to foot the bill yourself. These days, your insurance firm will probably liaise with the private healthcare provider in Sweden and pay the medical bills. In very rare cases, you might need to pay the medical bills in cash, and then claim the cost back from your insurance firm when you get home to the UK.

Compensation Claim Time Limits in Sweden

There are certain time restraints on making holiday compensation claims for accidents, injuries and illnesses that happened in Sweden. You will find details of these time-limits in the table below:

Edit
Circumstances of Claim Time Limit
On a pre-booked holiday, flight or trip that was booked in the UK. 3 years
On a privately booked holiday, flight or trip. 3 years
On a privately booked flight to or from:
• Alingsås
• Alingsås
• Anderstorp
• Anderstorp
• Arboga
• Arbrå 		2 years

Package Holiday Injury Claims in Sweden

If we look at holiday accidents statistics, relating to UK holidaymakers, we find that the majority of those who have some kind of trouble such as an accident, injury or illness while on holiday in Sweden, have booked through a UK passed package holiday firm. This is a major consideration when claiming holiday compensation. This is because all UK tour and package holiday companies are governed by the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Although it is important to note that this legislation only applies to holidays that were booked in the UK. Check the list below, if you booked a holiday in the UK through one of these travel firms, you should be protected by this legislation:

  • MyTravel
  • Olympic Holidays
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Saga Holidays
  • Thomas Cook Holidays
  • Thomson Holidays
  • Virgin Holidays
  • Airtours Holidays
  • Balkan Holidays
  • Crystal Holidays
  • Direct Holidays
  • First Choice Holidays
  • Kuoni
  • Libra Holidays
  • Monarch Holidays

Legal Expert has plenty of experience in claiming holiday compensation for clients who booked their holiday in the UK through a UK based travel vendor. Call us at the number at the bottom of this page to find out how we can help you.

Injury Claims We Can Help with In Sweden

In general, the level of safety in Sweden for holidaymakers from the UK is fairly high. That being said, accidents can and do happen, and illnesses can be picked up anyway. Here at Legal Expert, we deal with many types of holiday compensation claims relating to holidays in Sweden, with the most common being:

  • Hotel accidents – caused in many ways such as electrocution from faulty room fittings, falling from a balcony, or accidents caused by faulty pool or gym equipment.
  • Food-related illnesses – caused by eating improperly cooked or stored food in a restaurant or hotel dining room.
  • Slips, trips and falls – caused by wet, dirty or damaged walkways.
  • Road traffic accidents – either as the driver or the passenger of a car or motorcycle.
  • Skiing accidents – caused by faulty equipment or inadequate professional supervision.

These are some of the most common causes to claim holiday compensation after a trip to Sweden. There more, so if nothing on the list above fits your case, give us a call to find out how we can help you.

Hotel Accident Claims

There are many ways that a hotel resident can contract an illness or be injured in while staying in a hotel in Sweden. The most usual ways that we see UK holidaymakers come to some type of harm are:

  • Food-related illnesses due to bad food being served in the hotel dining room.
  • Accidents that happen in the gym area, through badly maintained exercise equipment, or lack of proper supervision.
  • Slips, trips and falls on a floor that has not been cleaned, or has been left wet.
  • Injuries such as an electric shock, caused by faulty electrical fittings in a hotel room. Accidents that happen in the pool area, due to bad maintenance, or lack of professional supervision.
  • Accidents in the swimming pool and pool area due to bad maintenance or lack of proper supervision.

Restaurant Illness, Accident or Food Poisoning Claims

Food-related illness are quite common amongst UK holidaymakers visiting a foreign country, simply because they do not have the natural immunity to the local bacteria. The main ways that food-related illness is contracted are:

  • Food that has been undercooked.
  • Food that has been reheated and served.
  • Food that has been stored at the wrong temperature.
  • Food that has been left out as part of a buffet for too long.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common types of holiday accidents we deal with here at Legal Expert. They can happen in many different ways, including:

  • Slipping on a wet or dirty floor while you are on holiday in Sweden.
  • Falling down stairs due to insufficient lighting while you are on holiday in Sweden.
  • Slipping on tiles in the pool area while you are on holiday in Sweden.
  • Tripping on a torn carpet while you are on holiday in Sweden.
  • Missing a step as you get on or off some form of transport while you are on holiday in Sweden.

Sweden Skiing Compensation Claims

In Sweden, skiing accident statistics show that UK holidaymakers are at risk when enjoying this winter sport. This is especially true of beginner skiers, who often do not understand the many dangers associated with this sport. Sweden is one of the most popular skiing destinations for UK holidaymakers, and there are many ways that accidents and injuries can happen, such as:

  • Accidents caused by faulty or badly maintained ski equipment.
  • Accidents caused by skiers overestimating their skill level.
  • Accidents caused by beginner skiers not receiving the correct supervision and training.
  • Accidents caused by skiers straying on to unsafe areas of snow.

If you are the victim of a skiing accident while on holiday in Sweden, then Legal Expert can help you claim the compensation you are entitled to.

Car and Road Traffic Accidents in Sweden

When we look at different countries and count the road accidents abroad Sweden is quite a safe place to drive. Every year, there are less than 400 fatal road traffic accidents in the whole country. This does not mean you can get involved in a car crash in Sweden, but the chances are fairly low. If you are in a road traffic accident while on holiday in Sweden, be sure to do the following:

  • Make sure you receive proper medical attention for your injuries.
  • If you are driving a hire care, notify the hire company.
  • Make sure that the police are informed of the incident.
  • Be sure to let your travel company that you have been involved in an accident while on holiday.

Legal Expert has plenty of experience in claiming compensation for road traffic accidents that happened abroad, so call us in the number at the bottom of the page to begin your claim.

Do I Need to Use a Swedish Solicitor for My Claim?

There is no clear advantage to be had in using a local lawyer in Sweden to make a holiday compensation claim. The national claims service operated by us at Legal Expert is efficient, risk-free and effective. Give us a call on the number at the bottom of this page so we can help you start your claim.

No Win No Fee Holiday Compensation Claims

Legal Expert offers a holiday compensation claims service under a No Win No Fee agreement for most of our clients. Under this kind of Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), we don’t charge anything to begin your claim or any ongoing legal fees. If we should lose your claim, you won’t owe us anything at all. The only time we will levy a fee, is if you receive a compensation payment. Therefore, this is a financially risk-free way to make a holiday compensation claim for an accident, injury or illness that occurred while you were on a trip to Sweden.

Top 16 biggest cities in Sweden

  • Stockholm
  • Göteborg
  • Malmö
  • Uppsala
  • Västerås
  • Örebro
  • Linköping
  • Helsingborg
  • Huddinge
  • Jönköping
  • Norrköping
  • Lund, Sweden
  • Haninge
  • Umeå
  • Gävle
  • Solna

Start Your Claim

If you believe that you have a valid reason to make a holiday compensation claim for an injury, accident or illness that occurred while you were on holiday in Sweden, then call Legal Expert today on 0800 073 8804. We will spend some time asking you questions and making sure we have all the details of your case, before offering you some free legal advice on what you should do next. In most cases, this will be to use the national No Win No Fee holiday claims service that we operate, to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to.

Useful Links

British Embassy Stockholm

Skarpögatan 6-8

Box 27819

115 93 Stockholm

Sweden

Tel: +46 (0)8 671 30 00

Web: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-stockholm

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

British Embassy Stockholm Consular Section

Address: Skarpögatan 6-8

Box 27819

115 27 Stockholm

Sweden

Tel: +46 (0) 8 671 30 00

Web: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-stockholm

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

At the link below, you will find detailed information which has been published by the NHS for UK citizens who need to gain access to healthcare services and medical treatment while they are on holiday in Sweden.

Sweden healthcare for UK holidaymakers