Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Tourist asked to leave intensive care after holiday accident (19 March 2014)

Date: 19/03/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Tourist asked to leave intensive care after holiday accident

A London hairdresser who was left in a coma after a holiday accident in Egypt was asked to leave a private hospital 48 hours after regaining consciousness because he could not pay the hospital fees.

Sean O’Sullivan, 44, and his partner Aaron Rose, 34, were holidaying at the resort of Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt when Mr O’Sullivan slipped and fell onto a marble floor outside a restaurant.

Mr O’Sullivan appeared unharmed after the fall, but three days later he developed slurred speech and headaches and was taken to the private Sinai Clinic Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital found Mr O’Sullivan had suffered two brain haemorrhages and they gave him a 50% chance of surviving.

Mr O’Sullivan slipped into a coma for 48 hours but two days after regaining consciousness the hospital asked him to leave because he had run out of money to pay the hospital bills.

The intensive care ward Mr O’Sullivan was staying on costs £700 per night and he was forced to transfer to an apartment where he is still being treated by the hospital as an outpatient.

Friends of Mr O’Sullivan have managed to raise £3,000 from an online appeal to help cover the cost of medical bills, which have so far cost more than £5,000.

Mr O’Sullivan and his partner were originally planning to stay for just 10 days in Sharm-El-Sheikh.

The hospital was not available for comment, according to an Evening Standard report.

Holiday accidents and injury

Slips and trips are one of the most common causes of injury among holidaymakers – but even minor slips can result in serious injury after a fall on a hard surface like a marble floor.

Holidaymakers are always advised by tour operators to take out holiday insurance to cover any potential medical bills while abroad. However, up to one-third of holidaymakers every year leave home without taking out holiday insurance – or making sure their holiday insurance policy covers activities like horse riding or dangerous sports.

Many travel insurers no longer cover medical bills if a holiday accident or injury results from “risky” behaviour such as climbing over balconies or “tombstoning” into swimming pools.

However, all holidaymakers are advised to take out travel insurance before they leave for their holiday – and also to book package holidays whenever possible.

Holidaymakers on package holidays are protected against holiday accident and injury if the accident was the fault of another party – for example, if you slip and fall on a floor left wet with no warning sign left in place after cleaning you may be able to claim compensation.

Tour operators issue an ATOL certificate when a package holiday is booked – check to make sure you are booking a package and always take out travel insurance in case of holiday accidents and injury.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise holidaymakers injured in holiday accidents caused by the negligence of another party on how to make a no win no fee claim for holiday accident compensation.

Claimants usually have three years from the date of the incident to make Holiday Accident and Injury Claims.

For expert legal advice on making no win no fee compensation claims for Holiday Accidents & Injury, contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.