British Columbia has a wide array of tourist attractions that bring people from all over the world. Whether tourists come to visit the Vancouver for the breathtaking views, arrive on a cruise ship from the Vancouver port, arrive to go skiing or snowboarding on any of British Columbia’s many mountains, visit one of our many islands, or any other number of reasons, no one ever visits thinking they could get injured. Unfortunately, tourism accidents do occur and if you are injured while visiting British Columbia, you will have to bring any claim for damages in this jurisdiction.
If you’ve suffered an injury due to the negligence of another person or a company, you could be entitled to compensation.
Types of Tourist Injuries
There are many types of injuries that a tourist can suffer in British Columbia, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Recreational sports or activity accidents
- Occupiers’ liability accidents (injury due to unsafe premises)
- Airline injury
- Boating accidents
- ATV accidents
- Tourist attraction accidents (sightseeing accidents, amusement parks, etc.)
- Animal Attack
- Winter sports accidents
- BC Ferries accidents
A significant concern for any type of tourist accident resulting in injury is whether or not a waiver was signed prior to engaging in an activity. Waivers can be an effective defence in personal injury claims, however they are not always effective. An experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you on the strength of your claim.
What To Do If You’re Injured in a Tourist Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a tourist accident and your injuries are severe, seek urgent medical care. If you are able notify the owner of the property on which you were injured or obtain the identity of the individual who caused your injury, as well as the identity and contact information of any witnesses. Recording the scene of the accident through photos and videos can also be very helpful to your claim.
The more evidence you have that documents the accident and your injuries, the stronger your case will be.
What Compensation Is Available For Tourist Accidents?
A tourist accident can occur in many ways and as such each case of tourism negligence is unique and requires careful handling and expert examination. What each case is worth and what compensation you’re entitled to depends on the specific facts of your specific case. However, generally speaking in tourist injury claims you can seek compensation (also called damages) for:
- Pain and suffering (or non-pecuniary damages)
- Past loss of Income
- Future loss of income
- Loss of capacity to earn income
- Loss of homemaking capacity
- Cost of future care
- Out of pocket medical expenses (or special damages)
- In-trust claims
Tourist Injury Lawyers
The lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP have been helping people with personal injury claims with all types of causes and injuries for over 30 years. We have a network of specialists and experts that can help us make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
There are specific timelines in which you have to bring a claim for injury in British Columbia, so if you have suffered an injury in a tourist accident contact the experienced personal injury lawyers from Taylor & Blair LLP today for a free consultation.