Lynn Smith, 59, from Colchester, is facing a £30,000 bill after fracturing her skull during a holiday in Majorca, Spain, due to a misunderstanding about her travel insurance coverage. The NHS employee had traveled to the island to celebrate her 60th birthday but suffered a serious accident that required emergency surgery.
Accident and Emergency Treatment
On May 22, Smith felt faint in her hotel lobby and fainted, hitting her head on the marble floor. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed a fractured skull and a brain bleed. She underwent two surgeries to stop the bleeding and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Her daughter, Rose Rushbrook, 34, borrowed £30,000 to arrange a medical flight to repatriate Smith to Colchester General Hospital in Essex on June 9. Smith's medical care in Spain was covered by her European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but this did not include repatriation costs.
Insurance Misunderstanding
Rushbrook believed her mother was covered under her family travel insurance policy, which she thought applied to all family members living together. However, the policy's small print stated it only covered individuals under 18 years old. Rushbrook said: "I didn't look into the small print about it only being [people] who are under 18, so it was a bit of a small print issue."
The family also faced additional costs, including hotel expenses for Rushbrook's father, who remained in Spain during the ordeal, costing £1,000 per week.
Recovery and Uncertainty
Smith underwent an emergency craniectomy to relieve pressure on her brain. She can now open her eyes and respond to voices, but doctors are uncertain about the extent of her recovery. Rushbrook said: "It's impossible to know right now [for recovery] but she can move her eyes and she responds to voices."
Rushbrook described the experience as "heart wrenching" and "horrific." A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the costs.
