We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients injured during trips to Center Parcs. Catherine Smith has experience with all types of claims, and introduces our services in this short video.

Read more about accidents at Center Parcs below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Center Parcs Accident Claims & Compensation

Center Parcs currently operate four 'forest village' holiday destinations in the UK, in Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest. Another Center Parcs resort is currently under construction at Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire. The average size of a Center Parcs village is around 400 acres, while the company employs roughly 6,000 people in the UK, and welcomes over a million visitors each year, 60% of whom are returning customers. Center Parcs resorts consist of villas, apartments and cabins set in forests with surrounding lakes and streams. The range of activities on offer is enormous. In Elveden Forest alone visitors can experience activities ranging from windsurfing to scuba diving and quad biking. Indoor facilities include swimming pools, spas and restaurants offering a choice of different cuisine.

Recent Accidents At Center Parcs

In such large, varied environments, catering especially for families with young children, the potential for accidents and injuries can never by fully eliminated. A catastrophic fire caused millions of pounds of damage at the Elveden Forest resort in 2002, but remarkably only one employee was injured. Two years later an outbreak of the Norovirus bug affected 116 holidaymakers at Center Parcs in Longleat Forest, and lead to a raft of compensation claims. Center Parcs owes a duty of care to all visitors to their resorts, and are obliged by law to take all 'reasonable' measures to protect their health and safety and reduce the threat of accidents occurring as far as possible. Where accidents and subsequent injuries result from the negligence of management or staff, a compensation claim may be brought against the company under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. Employees of Center Parcs may also bring claims for compensation if they have been injured at a resort due to the negligence of a third party.

Typical Causes Of Center Parcs Accidents

In resorts such as Center Parcs, visitors may be injured in almost any number of ways. One factor which may cause accidents during any outdoor activity is lack of supervision. Resorts must ensure that an adequate number of fully trained staff are on duty during activities. Staff should also be given clear roles by management, and should not be required to perform multiple tasks which may compromise their basic role of ensuring visitor safety. Another clear duty for holiday destination operators is to ensure that accommodation and grounds are well maintained, and kept free from defects which may cause injury. These may range from faulty electrical appliances provided in rooms, to damaged paving slabs which could cause walkers or cyclists to fall. Furniture in rooms should be safe to use, and windows and doors should be properly secured to prevent children climbing out or wandering off unsupervised. Equipment provided to guests during activities must also be free from manufacturing defects and properly maintained so as not to present a hazard. This is especially the case where toys or play centre rides are provided for young children.

Illnesses Caused By Poor Hygiene

It is also incumbent on holiday resorts to provide a hygienic environment for visitors. Apart from the 2004 Norovirus outbreak, a number of reports have accumulated concerning visitors suffering from gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and vomiting after using Center Parcs facilities. Such illnesses are often caused by bacteria in swimming pools, normally the result of poor hygiene, or chemical imbalances in chlorine and water PH levels. Especially in baby pools visitors must be encouraged to maintain hygiene standards to prevent contamination and viruses from spreading. Holiday resorts such as Center Parcs also offer a variety of restaurants and places for visitors to buy food. Restaurants must ensure that their kitchens meet required health and safety standards. This is especially important in destinations like Center Parcs, where restaurants are often run by third party groups, and hence lack centralised control. Food that is sold in holiday resort shops and supermarkets must also always be within its 'use by' date.

Center Parcs Accident Compensation Claims

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in holiday resort compensation claims on behalf of both injured members of the public and employees. We are often asked; can I claim against Center Parks? The answer if often yes provided your claim relates to an accident or injury at Center Parcs that has taken place in the last three years, Bartletts can represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. You are therefore assured of keeping 100% of any compensation awarded, with no deductions. In the event that your compensation claim is successful our fees are paid by the losing party to the claim, i.e. Center Parcs, or their insurance company. The vast majority of the claims we take on are successful, and where they are not we will charge you nothing. We advise that you take specialist legal advice on claiming compensation against Center Parcs to avoid losing the opportunity to bring a successful claim.

Bartletts have been protecting and supporting clients for 150 years and enjoy a reputation nationwide for trusted legal advice. Call us today on 0800 158 2454 for a free consultation regarding your case or to begin a claim. You can also contact us for free legal advice via our new Live Chat function below.