Injured at a Hotel in Turkey? Evidence to Collect Before Returning Home

A foreign tourist injured at a hotel may have only a short time to document the incident before returning home. The accident area may be cleaned, repaired or altered, while CCTV footage and internal records may later become unavailable.

Medical care and personal safety should always take priority. The following checklist provides general information about material that may be useful in a later assessment.

Evidence Checklist

Where safely possible, consider collecting:

• Photographs and videos of the exact accident location;
• Close-up and wider images showing the surrounding area;
• Photographs of warning signs or their apparent absence;
• Names and contact details of witnesses;
• The names or positions of hotel employees attending the scene;
• A copy of the hotel’s incident report;
• Medical reports, test results, prescriptions and invoices;
• Booking, payment and package holiday documents;
• Travel insurance and tour operator details;
• The hotel operator’s full legal name.

The guest may also consider making a written request for the preservation of CCTV footage, electronic key records, maintenance documents and other relevant records.

Avoid Signing an Unclear Statement

The hotel or another party may ask the guest to sign an incident statement or acknowledgement. The guest should read it carefully and should not sign a document that has not been understood.

Where the document is only in Turkish, requesting a translation or retaining a complete copy for later review may be appropriate. Signing a document does not necessarily have the same legal consequence in every case; its wording and circumstances require examination.

After Returning Home

The guest should retain records of continuing treatment, travel expenses, cancelled activities and communications with the hotel, insurer or tour operator.

Whether Turkish law applies, where proceedings may be brought and which party may be relevant depend on the booking method and specific facts. Collecting evidence does not itself establish liability.

For further information, see Hotel Accident Claims in Turkey.

Related information:

• Slipped and Fell at a Hotel in Turkey: What Should You Do?
• Injured in a Hotel Elevator in Turkey: What Should You Do?
• Fell from a Hotel Balcony in Turkey: What Should the Family Do?
• Ill After Eating at a Hotel in Turkey: What Should You Do?

Author: Av. Dr. Gökhan Cindemir

Disclaimer: This checklist provides general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, confirm a valid claim or guarantee compensation.