Coach operator sued in Turkey

Mrs Healy of Lancashire lost her leg in a coach crash while on holiday in Turkey. She was left significantly disabled.

The coach was taking Mrs Healy on an excursion when it was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The coach driver was found mostly to blame by the local police.

Damages were claimed in this country against the Tour Operator whose representative had sold the excursion to Mrs Healy and in Turkey against the coach operator and the local travel agent who had arranged the excursion.

A claim can be pursued against the Tour Operator if you are injured while on holiday as a consequence of the fault of a provider of services under the package holiday contract i.e. the hotel where you are staying.

The tour operator contested liability and the case went to trial.

The Judge had tremendous sympathy for Mrs Healy but found that the tour operator was not responsible for her accident as the excursion was purchased in the resort and did not form part of the package holiday contract that she had booked and paid for before departure.

The claim in Turkey is ongoing and is unlikely to be concluded before the end of 2008.

Claimant Solicitor: Stephen Ireland of Paul Rooney Partnership.