Top Tips for Holidaymakers: What to Do If Things Go Wrong Abroad

Holiday Lawyers • August 4, 2026

The summer holidays are an important time for families to take a break and enjoy time together, but sadly every year, thousands of British holidaymakers experience illness, accidents or other serious problems while on holiday. 


Taking steps to make sure you are health and safe should always come first, but the steps you take in the hours and days afterwards can make a significant difference if you later decide to pursue a legal claim.


1. Seek medical attention immediately

Your health comes first. Attend the hotel doctor, local medical centre or hospital as soon as possible. Medical records often become important evidence.


2. Report the incident

Whether you have suffered food poisoning, an accident or another issue, report it to the hotel and, if applicable, your tour operator. Ask for a copy of any incident report.


3. Take photographs and videos

Photograph anything relevant, including unsafe conditions, defective equipment, poor hygiene, contaminated food or your injuries. Visual evidence can be invaluable.


4. Keep receipts

Retain receipts for medical treatment, medication, transport, replacement accommodation and any other expenses you incur because of the incident.


5. Preserve evidence where possible

If food appears undercooked or contaminated, or faulty equipment caused an injury, preserve photographs and any other evidence where it is safe to do so.


6. Speak to witnesses

If other guests witnessed what happened or were also affected, ask whether they are willing to provide their contact details.


7. Keep a diary

Make a daily note of your symptoms, pain, treatment, disruption to your holiday and activities you were unable to enjoy. Contemporary notes can provide valuable evidence.


8. Don’t feel pressured

Avoid signing documents you do not understand or accepting explanations before the circumstances have been properly investigated.


9. Speak to a specialist solicitor

Obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage can help preserve important evidence and ensure your claim gets off to the strongest possible start.


Why Choose Holiday Lawyers?

Our team has recovered millions of pounds in compensation for holidaymakers whose holidays have been ruined by illness, accidents and safety failures abroad. We have acted for thousands of clients, including in some of the UK’s largest international group claims, and have experience handling cases involving food poisoning outbreaks, serious injuries, hotel accidents, cruise claims and package holiday litigation across the world.



If your holiday has been affected through no fault of your own, contact Holiday Lawyers for a free, no obligation assessment of your case.

Holiday Lawyers instructed following serious illness of child at Turkish luxury resort

By Holiday Lawyers • August 4, 2026
Holiday Lawyers has been instructed to investigate a potential holiday illness claim after a nine year old boy was hospitalised for three nights with acute gastroenteritis following a Jet2 package holiday to the Calista Luxury Resort in Belek, Turkey. The child became seriously unwell during the family’s stay and required admission to hospital, where he underwent blood and stool testing, received intravenous fluids and antibiotic treatment before eventually being discharged. The family has retained comprehensive medical records, hospital reports and invoices relating to the illness, and has now instructed Holiday Lawyers to advise on a potential claim. Amandeep Dhillon, Founder of Holiday Lawyers, said: “Every parent dreads seeing their child become seriously ill while abroad. What should have been a relaxing family holiday instead resulted in a hospital admission, invasive investigations and several days of treatment. “We are now reviewing the available evidence, including the medical records and chronology of events, to assess the merits of a claim. Cases involving hospitalisation overseas often require careful investigation and early preservation of evidence. “We would usually recommend that holidaymakers seek specialist legal advice before entering into detailed correspondence with the tour operator, as the way a claim is presented from the outset can be important.” Holiday Lawyers has represented thousands of holidaymakers over many years and recovered millions of pounds in compensation for clients affected by illness abroad. The firm is currently acting for clients in relation to food poisoning and gastric illness claims arising from a number of destinations worldwide. If you or a member of your family has suffered serious illness during a package holiday abroad, Holiday Lawyers offers a free initial assessment of your potential claim. 

Holiday Lawyers invites holidaymakers affected by Cyclospora outbreak in Mexico to come forward

By Holiday Lawyer • July 30, 2026
Holiday Lawyers invites holidaymakers affected by Cyclospora outbreak in Mexico to come forward Holiday Lawyers is inviting anyone who has suffered symptoms of Cyclospora infection following a holiday to Mexico to seek legal advice, as reports emerge of a significant increase in cases affecting UK travellers. The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed a rise in Cyclospora infections among people returning from Mexico, with investigations ongoing. Amandeep Dhillon, Founder of Holiday Lawyers, said: “We have decades of experience representing holidaymakers who have contracted serious gastrointestinal illnesses overseas and have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for thousands of clients. We are currently acting for a number of individuals who have suffered food poisoning after holidays at various resorts across Mexico. We also have direct experience of successfully pursuing and settling Cyclospora claims, giving us a detailed understanding of the medical, evidential and legal issues these cases present. Cyclospora infections can be particularly unpleasant, often causing prolonged diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and significant disruption to people’s lives and holidays. In many cases, symptoms can continue for weeks if left untreated. Anyone who has returned from Mexico feeling unwell, particularly if they have experienced persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, should seek medical attention promptly and consider obtaining specialist legal advice.” Holiday Lawyers is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been affected to retain any booking documentation, medical records and receipts where possible. If you have suffered suspected food poisoning or Cyclospora following a holiday to Mexico, please contact Holiday Lawyers for a free, no obligation assessment of your potential claim.