A leisure accident occurs in your free time — that is, outside working hours. This can include anything from a cycling accident, a fall while skiing, an accident during exercise, or an injury sustained while doing house or garden work. Many people believe they are only entitled to compensation if they are injured at work or in traffic, but there are also opportunities to claim compensation after leisure accidents.
On this page, we explain what constitutes a leisure accident and what you may be entitled to if you are injured.
What counts as a leisure accident?
A leisure accident is an accident that happens when you are not at work. Examples include:
- You slip and fall on icy ground on the way to the shops
- You fall from a ladder while carrying out home improvements
- You crash while cycling
For an incident to qualify as an “accident”, it must be a sudden and external event — something unexpected and specific. Injuries that develop over time (such as repetitive strain injuries) are generally not considered accidents.
Read about related topics:
Workplace injury – what am I entitled to?
Traffic injury – what am I entitled to?
Am I entitled to compensation after a leisure accident?
1. Personal accident insurance (private)
Many people have private personal accident insurance, taken out individually or through an employer, trade union or sports club. This type of insurance may provide a payout for permanent medical disability (long‑term or permanent injuries). Some policies also cover treatment costs and compensation for loss of income.
2. Travel insurance
If the accident occurs while you are on holiday, your travel insurance may cover treatment expenses and may also provide compensation for permanent injuries.
3. Liability of others
In some cases, another party may be responsible for your injury. If someone else is at fault, you may claim compensation from the responsible party’s insurance (usually their public liability cover under their home contents insurance).
What can you be compensated for?
Compensation after a leisure accident depends on the insurance cover you have and the consequences of the injury for you. Most commonly, people have accident insurance that covers compensation for permanent impairment, but an increasing number have leisure accident insurance that also covers other heads of loss. Common types of compensation may include:
- Compensation for permanent impairment – for permanent medical disability
- Incurred expenses – such as treatment, medication or travel costs
- Future expenses – if long‑term treatment is required
- Loss of income – if the injury prevents you from working as before
- Compensation in the event of death – surviving relatives may be entitled to compensation
What should you do if you are injured in your free time?
- Seek medical attention promptly – have the injury documented as early as possible.
- Notify the insurance company – both your own insurer and, if relevant, the responsible party’s insurer.
- Gather documentation – keep receipts, reports and photographs.
- Speak to a lawyer in serious cases – especially if the injury is permanent or significantly affects your ability to work.
How much compensation am I entitled to?
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to after a leisure accident is set out in your insurance policy. Leisure accident policies often vary widely in what they cover, so we always recommend checking your policy documents.
Some leisure accident policies only cover compensation for permanent impairment, while others also cover loss of income and expenses. If you find it difficult to determine what you may be entitled to, we recommend locating your policy documents and giving us a call. With our experience, we can often quickly clarify what compensation you may be entitled to.
Summary
A leisure accident is an accident that occurs outside working hours. Even though it is not covered by workplace injury insurance, you may still be entitled to compensation through private insurance policies. The most important steps are to notify the insurer early and to gather documentation.
In cases of serious injury, it may be wise to seek legal advice to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Unsure what you are entitled to? Contact us.
