Work Injury Abroad Compensation Claims

Working abroad can be a great experience both for your career and your personal development, as it is an opportunity to encounter entirely different approaches to life and use your experiences to your benefit. Sadly though, accidents at work can and do happen. When this happens in England or Wales, injured workers are entitled to claim compensation, but if you are injured whilst working abroad, you may be unsure of your rights.

At JMW, our expert team of accidents abroad solicitors can guide you through the claims process to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Personal injury claims are often still possible in these cases, and accident abroad compensation can cover lost earnings and any medical treatment you need during your recovery.

To speak to a solicitor about making a claim for an injury you’ve sustained while working overseas, get in touch with us today by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

How JMW Can Help

More people are spending their time working overseas, whether it be part of a gap year before university, a secondment abroad, or to undertake voluntary work. We commonly advise individuals in the following situations:

• Accidents caused by the employer’s negligence
• Accidents caused by faulty work equipment
• Accidents caused by the fault of a colleague
• Road traffic accidents whilst working abroad
• Accidents whilst off duty abroad

Our work accidents abroad solicitors have helped many workers who have sustained an injury while working abroad to make successful claims for compensation. We know it can seem daunting making a compensation claim against your employer; however, we handle cases carefully to ensure that any potential issues are addressed. As a full-service law firm, JMW can call upon specialist employment lawyers if you believe your employer is using your injury claim against you, and protect your job during an accident abroad claim.

The JMW personal injury team will investigate the circumstances and cause of your accident, including liaising with any authorities involved, getting hold of your medical records, obtaining independent medical reports to detail your injuries and prognosis, and taking witness evidence to support your claim. We have a wealth of expertise in the international personal injury claims process and a strong track record of securing compensation.

We know that claims involving accidents abroad can be complicated, which is why our solicitors are here to help you make sure everything is clear and provide a firm understanding of your options moving forward. We aim to make claims hassle-free so you can concentrate on making a recovery from your injuries.

Meet Our Team of Solicitors

JMW’s team offers expert guidance and support for individuals injured while working abroad, helping you navigate complex legal processes to secure the compensation and justice you deserve.

Q

What evidence will I need to make my claim?

A

While your solicitor will work with you to gather evidence, it helps if you can provide as much evidence as you have that could be supportive of your claim before the process starts. This may include your contract of employment, payslips, and contact details of any witnesses to your accident. We will use any evidence you can provide to determine whether you have a valid claim and how much compensation we believe you are entitled to.

JMW will work with you to gather medical evidence addressing your injuries to make sure the full extent of the injury and the impact it has had on your life is known when we seek compensation on your behalf.

We will also calculate the financial losses you have sustained, so it helps if you can keep receipts for any expenses you incur for medication, travel expenses and medical care, including after you return to the UK.

Q

Can I make my claim in England or Wales if I have been injured abroad?

A

JMW will work with you and examine the legal issues surrounding your case to advise you where your claim can be made. In many cases, you will be able to make a claim in the Courts of England and Wales. In other cases, it may be that you need to make the claim before the foreign courts. We have contacts with a worldwide network of lawyers whom we can rely on to ensure you get access to the justice you deserve.

Q

How much compensation can I claim for an accident abroad?

A

Accident abroad compensation depends on several factors that are specific to each case, including the type of injuries you sustained, who was responsible, and even which foreign jurisdiction the accident occurred in. Whichever country your accident happened in, our solicitors will work to secure the maximum compensation for you.

Compensation payments comprise two elements: special damages and general damages. Each addresses a distinct type of loss resulting from the injury. General damages compensate for non-financial losses, including the physical and emotional impact of the injury on your life. Our solicitors will consider your physical pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of amenity in your compensation claim, and base our estimate of how much compensation you are owed on the Judicial College Guidelines. These provide standardised brackets for different types of injury, based on the severity and impact of any long-term symptoms, chronic pain, disfigurement or psychological trauma caused by the incident or its aftermath.

Special damages compensate for financial losses and expenses that you have incurred (or are likely to incur in the future) as a direct result of the injury. Outgoings that you can claim compensation for as special damages include:

• Loss of earnings if you were unable to work, or will be unable to work in the future.
• Medical expenses for physiotherapy, private treatment, or prescriptions.
• Costs of travel to and from medical appointments.
• Care and assistance, including paid care or informal care by family or friends.
• Rehabilitation costs and any specialist equipment, home adaptations, or mobility aids this requires.
• The anticipated future financial impact, including lost career prospects or ongoing treatment needs.

To do this, you must provide detailed evidence of these expenses, including receipts, invoices, wage slips, tax records, and cost projections prepared by experts, if you are claiming for future losses.

Our solicitors will also seek interim payments where possible, to cover any urgent financial needs or medical bills. This means you will receive a portion of your compensation early, before the claims process is fully resolved.

Q

Can I make a no win, no fee accident abroad claim?

A

At JMW, we are normally able to conduct personal injury claims on a no win, no fee basis under a conditional fee agreement. A no win, no fee claim means that there are no legal fees to pay unless your claim is successful, so you can take action after an accident without financial risk. This covers everything from initial evidence gathering to court proceedings, where necessary.

When your claim is successful, you will pay a contribution towards your legal costs in the form of a success fee, which is a pre-agreed percentage of part of the compensation you are awarded. Whether a conditional fee agreement is possible will depend on the type of claim you are making, but there may be other ways to pay for legal services if you believe you are entitled to claim compensation in these cases.

Q

Can I make a holiday accident claim?

A

It is often possible to make a holiday injury claim if you were injured abroad. When you have experienced a holiday accident, compensation claims depend on whether your trip was a package holiday offered by a UK-based travel agent or provider. Contact our holiday accident claims team to learn more about your eligibility in these cases.