Personal Injury Solicitors

A cross-party committee of MPs has raised concern over the service bereaved families are receiving from consular staff abroad.

The Daily Mail reports that more than half of British consular services overseas are now staffed by locals, rather than British nationals sent overseas to represent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

In recent years, the number of Britons seriously injured or killed in holiday accidents has risen, with more demand for consular assistance among bereaved families or those trying to bring their loved ones home for medical treatment in the UK.

The FCO has no legal duty to pay for repatriation flights to return Britons to the UK, however – but consular staff act in an advisory role and support grieving families overseas. Consular staff also offer advice and assistance in cases where passports go missing or Britons are arrested overseas.

The FCO is also responsible for evacuating Britons in the event of civil unrest or natural disasters overseas.

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has warned the FCO that it must not “dehumanise and minimise the service” offered in the pursuit of “excessive cost-cutting”.

The committee said some families felt “entirely let down” by consular staff – and also raised concern over the number of consular posts filled by locals rather than British nationals.

The FCO said they help the family when someone dies abroad – but most of what they do can be found online.

Britons travelling abroad are advised to ensure they have sufficient travel insurance to cover medical emergencies and repatriation costs – as well as a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to help cover medical treatment in EU member states.

The EHIC may not cover all medical costs, however – some countries in the EU will only pay for medical care free to local residents and travellers should check before departure what is covered.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Holiday Accident and Illness Claims

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors and can advise those injured on package holidays as a result of another party’s negligence on how to make no win no fee Holiday Accident and Illness Claims.

Under the Package Travel Regulations 1992, holidaymakers who book package holidays – which will have an ATOL certificate issued at the time of booking – can make a no win no fee claim for holiday accident compensation within three years from the date of injury.

In cases where a loved one has lost their life as a result of negligence, Duncan Lewis can advise families on making no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claims.

Children injured in holiday accidents abroad – or who fall ill as a result of negligent food preparation or failures in hygiene at package holiday hotels – can make a no win no fee compensation claim up to the age of 21.

For expert and confidential advice on no win no fee Holiday Accident & Illness Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.