Sleepwalking holiday accident alert

Experts are warning that people who are prone to sleep walking should be especially careful when they are staying in properties that have a balcony as they could end up having a fatal holiday accident.

During the act of sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, the sleeper is only partially awake and in a trance-like state. A sleepwalker regularly repeats motor activities during their sleep such as sitting up in bed, walking and moving objects around.

While they can seem awake, sleepwalkers are in fact still in a state of sleep and have little control about what they do and where they go, much like a dream.

Sleepwalking is dangerous at the best of times, even when you begin wandering around your own house in the middle of the night, you never know where you are going to end up. It has been known for sleepwalkers to leave the house and even attempt driving, presenting a serious road accident risk.

From this it is obvious to see why staying in any holiday villa with a raised balcony could be dangerous to someone who suffers from a sleepwalking disorder.

A teenager from south-west London was killed after falling from height in a holiday accident in Minorca during August 2007. The 18-year-old, who had a history of sleepwalking, had been holidaying with his girlfriend and parents when he fell 25ft from the balcony of a second floor apartment.

He was taking to hospital but died four hours later after sustaining serious head injuries. Police on the Balearic Island are investigating the teenager's death although a spokesperson has said that they are treating it is an accident.

Following reports of this tragic holiday accident and many others involving sleepwalkers and balconies, experts are advising that people prone to sleepwalking select their holiday villas with care. It has been suggested that sleepwalkers request that they stay in ground floor properties, avoid properties with balconies and those that are close to swimming pools and the sea.

Make a holiday accident claim with us today
Have you been harmed in a holiday accident that wasn't your fault? You could be in a position to make a no win, no fee claim for personal injury compensation.

The last thing that you want to experience on your holiday is involvement in an accident that leaves you with serious personal injuries. This will not only spoil your holiday but could also have a huge impact on your life, socially and professionally.

So whether you have been involved in a road accident during a transfer to or from the airport or were injured during an activity organised by your tour-operator, YouClaim could help you to claim 100% compensation.

We are associated with a panel of UK personal injury solicitors who are highly experienced at dealing with compensation claims of this kind and have an unrivalled success rate.

Making a holiday accident claim through us won't cost you anything at all so get in contact with us for free today. Talk to us online via e-chat, send us a call back request, fill in an online claim assessment form or give us a ring on 0800 10 757 95.