Brexit risks stripping out legal protections for UK residents injured abroad, says Thompsons

Thompsons Solicitors has warned that making a claim for injuries sustained on the continent will be much harder if Britain decides to leave the European Union (EU).

At present, British tourists can claim for road crash injuries under the European Motor Directives, which give a direct right of action against the insurer in the injured person’s home country.

However, the firm has said that British holidaymakers travelling to European destinations will have a much more difficult time attempting to make a claim for a road accident as they will no longer be able to run their claim through a UK-based law firm or pursue a case in the UK courts.

Martin Gwyther, foreign jurisdiction claims expert at Thompsons Solicitors said: “For UK citizens injured in Europe, pulling out of the EU will mean a personal injury claim will be a lot harder. The agreements that are now in place making it possible to get compensation relatively easily after, say, a road crash on holiday could well be ripped up if we Brexit.

“Add to that the prospect of the Conservatives forcing through their proposal to raise the small claims limit in road accident cases, which will strip injured people of access to independent, free legal support, and you’re looking at a potential double attack on justice.”

Mark Dugdale