Lawyer spotlight: Ross Smith shares how international law impacts injury abroad claims

Ross Smith is our International Injuries Team Lead. For more than 25 years, he has helped people across England and Wales who’ve been seriously injured while travelling. In this article we explore how international law can affect a claim and why the expertise of Ross and his team matters.

Ross and his team have helped clients secure compensation that has enabled them to rebuild their lives after serious injuries abroad, including:

• Securing a successful settlement for a client who suffered serious spinal injuries following a hotel accident in Tenerife, helping them move forward after a life-changing injury.
• Achieving a significant settlement for a client who suffered serious injuries in a road traffic accident in France, supporting their recovery and future needs.
• Successfully supporting a client who suffered a serious leg injury while on holiday, helping them secure compensation after a complex international injury claim.

After an accident abroad, it is natural to think your claim will work in the same way as one in the UK. However, in many cases, it will not. The country where the accident happened can affect where you can make a claim and the rules that apply along the way. It can also affect who is responsible, and how long you have to take legal action. These differences can be difficult to understand without specialist advice. That is why getting the right support early can make a real difference.

Most people have never heard of international conventions until they need to make a claim. You do not need to understand the legal detail, but it helps to know that these rules can affect your case.

Some injuries are covered by international agreements instead of the law of the country where the accident happened. For example, the Athens Convention applies to many injuries on ferries and cruise ships. If you slipped on a wet deck or were injured while getting on or off a ship, these rules might apply. The Montreal Convention covers many injuries during international air travel. It may apply if luggage fell from an overhead locker or if you were injured during a flight.

Working out which rules apply to you claim is one of the first things Ross and his team do. It helps them build the strongest case and avoid delays later on. Gathering this information early on also helps clarify if you can make a claim in England and Wales or if your claim needs to be brought in another country.

Making a claim abroad often means dealing with more than one legal system. You may also have to deal with insurers based overseas or questions about which country’s courts should hear your case. That is why we have a team dedicated to these claims. Each member brings different knowledge and experience, so clients benefit from the strength of the whole team.

One client suffered serious injuries in a road traffic accident while taking part in an Ironman event in Germany. The case involved difficult questions about where the claim should be brought after the other driver died. By working through those issues, the team secured a settlement of £40,000. This claim allowed our client to have clarity about what happened and meant he could move forward with closure and the financial security he needed.

If your accident happened recently, you may wonder if changes to the law affect your claim. One of the biggest changes came after Brexit. Some international claims now take more work to decide where they should be brought. The legal process has changed, but people can still make successful claims. Ross and the team keep up with these changes so clients do not have to, expressing “the law changes over time and our team changes with it. We keep up with new rules and new court decisions so we can give every client the right advice for their case.”

After a serious injury abroad, making a legal claim is rarely the first thing on your mind. Getting medical help and getting home safely often come first. That is why we are proud to support Lia’s Wings. This charity provides life-saving air ambulance services in the UK and overseas. Their work helps people when they need it most.

Ross said “Lia’s Wings does incredible work. We are proud to support them because we know how important the right help is after a serious injury. If someone later needs legal advice, we are here to support them through that part of their journey too.”

Being injured abroad can feel overwhelming. The legal process should not add to that. Ross Smith believes every client deserves honest answers and support from people who understand international injury claims.

He shared “People come to us because they need someone they can trust. We guide them through the legal process, deal with the legal challenges and help them understand what happens next. That means our clients can focus on what matters most, which is their recovery.”

International law can make injury abroad claims more complex. With the right specialist support, those challenges do not have to stop you getting the answers and compensation you deserve. If you have been injured while on holiday or travelling, contact our team today.