Compensation for a ruined holiday
A recent decision by the Court of Appeal has set out useful guidance on compensation levels for ruined holidays.
The case brought against Cunard, the owners of the Queen Victoria liner, followed a holiday that went wrong on the luxury liner’s maiden voyage.
Mr & Mrs Milner, the couple who brought the claim, had spent a staggering £59,051.20 on a 106 day cruise, described by the court as “the experience of a lifetime”. Unfortunately things went wrong and the Milners left the cruise after just 28 days.
Overall the Milners got back over £60,000.00 but in making this award the court set out guidelines for damages for distress and disappointment. That is damages paid above any refund made or expenses refunded.
The court said that the most serious cases were those where a wedding was to take place. In those cases compensation should be between £4,360.00 and £4,406.00. In the case of Mr & Mrs Milner they were awarded £4,000.00 and £4,500.00 respectively suggesting that the courts will treat very expensive “one in a lifetime” holidays like wedding holidays.
These figures drop to £321.00 to £1,890.00 for holidays which are honeymoons and £264.00 to £1,161.00 for other “special holidays”.
For ordinary holidays compensation levels for distress and disappointment should be between £83.00 and £876.00.
If you have had a holiday ruined or you have suffered an injury whilst on holiday contact Integrum Law for a free no obligation consultation.
