If you have suffered a personal injury in the Dominican Republic, you may be feeling a bit confused regarding what to do and where to turn to. You turn on the TV and you are inundated with various adverts promising compensation. You look online and there is contrasting information. You can end up feeling more confused than you were to begin with. Do you have to make a claim with a solicitor in the Dominican Republic? Do you even have a chance of compensation? Hopefully, that sense of confusion no longer be the case by the time you finish reading this Dominican Republic holiday compensation guide.
Claims can be filed for a whole host of reasons. Here is a mere handful of the situations that can led to a making a winning claim:
- Suffering an injury whilst riding your bike
- Car accidents
- Tripping on a broken pavement
- Food poisoning
- Contracting diseases whilst abroad
- Sporting accidents
- Slipping on an unmarked wet surface
- Injuries caused by product faults
Here at Legal Expert, we have helped many people to secure compensation if they have been injured while on holiday. You can reach us on 0800 073 8804. However, before you give us a call on this number, you should read on to find out everything you need to know about making a claim for any sort of accident or illness that has happened while you have been in the Dominican Republic.
Select A Section
- A guide to holiday accident and illness claims in the Dominican Republic
- What to do if you have an accident whilst in the Dominican Republic
- How to get emergency assistance in the Dominican Republic
- Medical help and facilities in the Dominican Republic
- Time Limits For Claims Involving Dominican Republic Accidents
- Dominican Republic package holiday compensation claims
- Types of Dominican Republic compensation claims we handle
- Hotel accident and injury claims
- Claims for food poisoning in the Dominican Republic
- Injuries caused by falls on holiday in the Dominican Republic
- Accidents on excursions, boat tours, or other activities
- Road traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic
- Do I Need to Use a Dominican Republic Solicitor?
- No win no fee Dominican Republic holiday compensation claims
- How to begin your claim
- Useful links
A guide to holiday accident and illness claims in the Dominican Republic
Britons travel to the Dominican Republic in large numbers—around 179,000 visits per year—making it a popular long-haul destination for sun, sand, and relaxation. While most trips go off without a hitch, some UK travellers suffer injury or illness abroad, turning their dream getaway into a distressing ordeal.
As a personal injury solicitor regulated in England and Wales, I have helped numerous clients secure compensation for holiday accidents and illnesses. This guide outlines your legal rights and the process of making a Dominican Republic holiday accident claim.
The top 16 biggest cities in the Dominican Republic
In the list below, you will discover the largest cities in the Dominican Republic, from biggest to smallest, based on population.
- Santo Domingo
- Santiago de los Caballeros
- Santo Domingo Oeste
- San Pedro de Macoris
- La Romana
- Bella Vista
- San Cristobal
- Puerto Plata
- San Francisco de Macrois
- Salvaleon de Higuey
- Concepcion de La Vega
- Punta Cana
- Santa Cruz de Barahona
- Bonao
- San Juan de la Maguana
- Bajos de Haina
What to do if you have an accident whilst in the Dominican Republic
If you are injured or fall ill during your stay, the following steps are crucial:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
The injured person should consult a doctor. Failing to do so may compromise the strength of your future claim. Medical records serve as vital evidence. Even seemingly minor ailments should be examined, as complications can arise later.
2. Contact a Specialist Holiday Accident Solicitor
Choosing an experienced UK-based solicitor can greatly improve your chances of success. At our firm, we work on a No Win, No Fee basis, ensuring access to justice without financial risk.
3. Act Promptly – Be Aware of Time Limits
Under English law, you have three years to issue court proceedings from the date of the incident. Delay may result in forfeiting your right to claim.
4. Gather and Retain Evidence
Keep all receipts and records of out-of-pocket expenses, including medical costs, travel expenses, and loss of earnings. Collect contact details of the party at fault and any witnesses to the incident.
How to get emergency assistance in the Dominican Republic
In case of emergency, dial 911, which connects to the police, ambulance, and fire services—similar to the United States.
Medical help and facilities in the Dominican Republic
You will need to have fully comprehensive medical insurance in order to access medical services in the Dominican Republic. A lot of Brits tend to assume that all countries run like the NHS, but that is not the case. Even countries with public health systems do not open them up to tourists. You need to have medical insurance in place to cover all eventualities.
Time Limits For Claims Involving Dominican Republic Accidents
It is a common misconception that claimants have unlimited time to pursue a claim. In reality, the limitation period for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the incident. This means court proceedings must be issued within that timeframe, or you risk losing the right to claim.
For instance, if your injury occurred on 24 November 2022, your solicitor must issue proceedings by 24 November 2025.
Dominican Republic package holiday compensation claims
If you have been injured while on a package holiday, the good news is that you are covered by the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
These regulations apply if your holiday included at least two of the following components: transport, accommodation, or other tourist services (e.g. excursions) sold for an inclusive price.
To qualify as a package, the arrangement must also last for over 24 hours or include overnight accommodation. These regulations place a duty on the tour operator to ensure that services provided as part of the package are performed to a reasonable standard.
Types of Dominican Republic compensation claims we handle
There are so many different types of accidents and injuries that can occur while someone is in the Dominican Republic. This includes everything from hotel accidents and injuries to injuries caused because of slips, trips, and falls. Below, we will take a look at some of the most common types of personal injury claims made by those on holiday in the Dominican Republic.
Hotel accident and injury claims
If you sustained an injury at your hotel due to unsafe conditions, such as wet floors, poor maintenance, or hygiene failings, the hotel operator may be held liable. All hotels owe their guests a duty of care to ensure that facilities are safe and hygienic. If this duty is breached and you suffer harm, you may be entitled to compensation.
Claims for food poisoning in the Dominican Republic
Food poisoning is one of the most common holiday illnesses. It can result from food that is undercooked, contaminated, or stored at an incorrect temperature. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Muscle aches
If you became unwell after dining at a hotel or restaurant in the Dominican Republic and negligence is to blame, you may have grounds for a claim. Evidence such as medical reports, witness statements, and food hygiene records will support your case.
Injuries caused by falls on holiday in the Dominican Republic
Slips and falls can happen anywhere, from hotel lobbies and pool areas to pavements and shops. If the fall was caused by a hazardous condition that should have been addressed—for example, a broken tile or unmarked wet floor—you may be able to claim compensation. These types of incidents are among the most common causes of personal injury claims abroad.
Accidents on excursions, boat tours, or other activities
Excursions such as boat tours, scuba diving, and zip-lining are popular with holidaymakers. However, these activities come with inherent risks. If the organiser of the excursion failed to follow proper safety procedures or use suitable equipment, and this resulted in your injury, you may be entitled to claim.
Always ensure that any excursion you book is arranged through a reputable provider and covered by your travel insurance.
Road traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic
If you are injured in a road traffic accident in the Dominican Republic, whether as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger, you may be able to claim if the incident was not your fault. This includes hit-and-run accidents, collisions involving uninsured drivers, and injuries sustained in public or private vehicles.
Examples of road traffic accident claims include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle collisions
- Passenger injuries
- Car crashes
- Pedestrian incidents
- Bus accidents
- Accidents involving untraced or uninsured drivers
To bring a successful claim, you will usually need to confirm that:
- The accident occurred within the last three years
- You received medical attention for your injuries
- The accident was caused by someone else’s negligence
Do I Need to Use a Dominican Republic Solicitor?
No. Many claimants believe they must use a local solicitor in the Dominican Republic. In fact, if your holiday was booked in the UK and falls under the Package Travel Regulations, you can pursue your claim through a UK-based solicitor. What matters most is choosing a solicitor experienced in international holiday claims.
No win, no fee Dominican Republic holiday compensation claims
Legal costs are a key concern for many people. Fortunately, most holiday accident claims can be handled under a No Win, No Fee agreement. This means you will not need to pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful. This arrangement significantly reduces the financial risk involved and ensures access to justice regardless of your means.
At Legal Expert, all of our solicitors operate on a No Win, No Fee basis. They will only take on your case if they believe you have a realistic chance of success.
How to begin your claim
If you have suffered a holiday injury or illness in the Dominican Republic, speak to a solicitor as soon as possible. At Legal Expert, we provide free initial consultations and can connect you with a solicitor experienced in Dominican Republic holiday claims. Our aim is to help you focus on your recovery while we handle your claim from start to finish.
Give us a call today on 0800 073 8804 for Dominican Republic holiday illness or accident advice.
Useful links
We hope that you have found this guide useful regarding holiday accident claims in the Dominican Republic. However, if you need more advice or information, you may find the contact information below helpful.
British Embassy Santo Domingo
Ave 27 de Febrero No 233,
Edificio Corominas Pepin
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
Tel: +1 (809) 472 7111
Web: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-santo-domingo
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm
Friday from 9am to 1pm
British consular services in the Dominican Republic
British Embassy in Santo Domingo – Here’s the link you need if you’re in Santo Domingo or elsewhere in the Dominican Republic.
Health
Governmental Advice on Dominican Republic Travel – Here is the government website’s page on travelling advice for the Dominican Republic travellers.
NHS – Advice on Dominican Republic – More advice on the health implications of travelling to the Dominican Republic. You might find this useful if you are looking to travel to the area, or if you’ve become ill there and need to seek some kind of medical assistance.
