snoop1130 Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 A British student is fighting for his life in hospital after a harrowing fall from a hotel balcony in Thailand. The 21 year old Teesside University student is unconscious in a Thai hospital suffering from major internal and external injuries following a plunge from a balcony in Chiang Mai. Jack Heathcock had been on what his sister Chloe described as a ‘dream backpacking adventure’ around Thailand with two friends when the unfortunate incident occurred on June 17. The nursing student was due to return to Middlesbrough in the North-East of England on June 19 but he fell from a third storey balcony in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai, where he is now fighting for his life. Heathcock was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries to address damage to his spleen, liver, and kidneys, as well as injuries including a lung bleed, brain trauma, and fractures to his neck and pelvis. Despite the passage of more than two weeks, the British student remains in critical condition, and his family is desperately seeking a way to bring him back home, reported the Teesside Gazette. Upon receiving news of the accident from their son’s friend, Jack’s parents, Ian and Joy Heathcock, wasted no time and flew to Thailand to be by his side. Although Jack had travel insurance, the family claims that the insurance company is refusing to cover the costs associated with his treatment. By Bob Scott Caption: Picture courtesy of the Heathcock family #news Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/chiang-mai/british-students-harrowing-balcony-plunge-leaves-him-fighting-for-life-in-a-thailand-hospital -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 1 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post anchadian Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 Did he digest the policy conditions of his travel insurance? I doubt it. Hope he recovers well enough to travel to the UK. 3 3 3 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post arithai12 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 Looks quite serious, I hope he pulls through, best wishes. As for the insurance refusal to pay, difficult to express an opinion without knowing the circumstances of his fall and the details of what was supposedly covered and what not. 21 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Yorkshire Tea Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 I'm guessing alcohol consumption voided his insurance. In which case, what's the point of travel insurance? 16 6 3 1 8 4 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 2 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said: I'm guessing alcohol consumption voided his insurance. In which case, what's the point of travel insurance? Agreed..... .... Perhaps the insurance has a 'no-balconies' clause... (sarcasm) IF the family are unclear of the circumstances of the fall, how can the insurance possibly refuse the claim - do they know something the family don't ??? It would be interesting to learn why the Travel Insurance company refused the claim (and who this company is).... Was it a 'booze clause' ?... and if so, does that mean 100% no booze or reasonable amounts etc ? 15 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gaccha Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 10 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: how can the insurance possibly refuse the claim - do they know something the family don't ??? They get access to the medical records etc as required by the terms of the insurance agreement. 3 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Liverpool Lou Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) 46 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said: I'm guessing alcohol consumption voided his insurance. In which case, what's the point of travel insurance? Consumption of alcohol does not necessarily void a policy, it is the excess consumption of alcohol (that would contribute to the incident) that generally does. But you are right, if a person is inclined to over-imbibe there is no point in buying a policy that doesn't cover those circumstances. Edited July 5, 2023 by Liverpool Lou 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Liverpool Lou Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 35 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: IF the family are unclear of the circumstances of the fall, how can the insurance possibly refuse the claim - do they know something the family don't ??? Perhaps the family does know something about the circumstances of the denial of the claim from the insurer but are reluctant to include it in a request for money so that other people to pay the bills? 11 2 5 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Gaccha said: 40 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: how can the insurance possibly refuse the claim - do they know something the family don't ??? They get access to the medical records etc as required by the terms of the insurance agreement. (This is pure speculation on my part) - could the medical report have stated the IP's Blood Alcohol levels which are in excess of limits stated within the policy ???... .... AND... IF so, how are the family not aware of this ?... Or are they aware, and simply not mentioning this. Edited July 5, 2023 by richard_smith237 6 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said: Perhaps the family does know something about the circumstances of the denial of the claim from the insurer but are reluctant to include it in a request for money so that other people to pay the bills? Yup... that could well the the possibility - a sensible move perhaps. People are perhaps less inclined to donate to a 'go-fund-me' if it was clear the injured lad was excessively inebriated (again, just speculation of course). 6 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) It is news. Edited July 5, 2023 by Pink Mist quoted post removed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Mist Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 A post criticizing the OP has been removed. 17. The ASEAN NOW news team gathers and disseminates news bulletins from Thai and international sources, and republishes them in the news forums for our members' information and enjoyment. Our news team works hard to bring quality content to the news forums and should be respected for their efforts. Comments such as "slow news day" or "clickbait headline" are disrespectful and unwelcome. Such comments will be sanctioned. Original articles, especially in the Thai or foreign language press can sometimes have grammatical mistakes or misspellings. ASEAN NOW is not responsible for these nor does ASEAN NOW have the right to alter content it is reprinting from another source. Similarly, ASEAN NOW is not responsible for any opinions reflected or quoted in reprinted news stories. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MadMuhammad Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said: Consumption of alcohol does not necessarily void a policy, it is the excess consumption of alcohol (that would contribute to the incident) that generally does. But you are right, if a person is inclined to over-imbibe there is no point in buying a policy that doesn't cover those circumstances. The policies I’ve seen and used usually have a blood alcohol content maximum that voids cover 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDisplayName Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 from linked article: Quote Unfortunately, following their investigations, the insurers have deemed that due to the circumstances of the incident, they will not be covering the claim. therefore: Quote She has also initiated fundraising efforts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kwilco Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 there needs to be a serious revue of balcony designs in Thailand - the rails are dangerously low especially for Westerners who are generally taller than Thai people. 15 2 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sfbandung Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 You need much more information before casting judgement. Of course there is alcohol. Did a railing fail? Falling off a balcony isn't that easy so what are the specific circumstances? Insurance companies will generally ocover a legitimate accident but not something effectively self inflicted. His family must be shattered. 4 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex8912 Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 11 hours ago, anchadian said: Did he digest the policy conditions of his travel insurance? I doubt it. Hope he recovers well enough to travel to the UK. So stupid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post alex8912 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said: (This is pure speculation on my part) - could the medical report have stated the IP's Blood Alcohol levels which are in excess of limits stated within the policy ???... .... AND... IF so, how are the family not aware of this ?... Or are they aware, and simply not mentioning this. There are blood alcohol level info in British travel insurance policies? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex8912 Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) 10 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said: Perhaps the family does know something about the circumstances of the denial of the claim from the insurer but are reluctant to include it in a request for money so that other people to pay the bills? Perhaps the family knows nothing about it and came to aid their son. Edited July 5, 2023 by alex8912 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Aussie999 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 11 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said: I'm guessing alcohol consumption voided his insurance. In which case, what's the point of travel insurance? I do wish posters would stop their "guessing." 1 1 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwilco Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 health and safety at hotels resorts and other tourist attractions in Thailand is deplorable. 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 11 hours ago, arithai12 said: Looks quite serious, I hope he pulls through, best wishes. As for the insurance refusal to pay, difficult to express an opinion without knowing the circumstances of his fall and the details of what was supposedly covered and what not. Read the small print and behave yourself on holiday... 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunLA Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) 36 minutes ago, Aussie999 said: I do wish posters would stop their "guessing." Doesn't take much of a guess. Falling off a balcony is not the easiest thing to do. BUT ... add a slab of beer, and it apparently is quite common with tourist. Not a whole lot of reasons left to deny a claim. Agree with others, it really is silly to have travel ins, at that age, on holiday, as myself, would always have alcohol in my system. From sipping with meals, to full on party mode while on holiday. It's simply what you do when a youngin, or what many expats continue to do in retirement/end of life, never ending holiday. Best escape clause there is for denying claims, and doesn't even have to be a high A/B limit, as a few beers would put you over any 'driving' limit. Can't fault the ins companies, simply good business, and protects themselves. If any of us were underwriting the policy, yea, you'd have an A/B limit clause in it also. Edited July 5, 2023 by KhunLA 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classic Ray Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 Balconies in many countries in tourist accommodation are often too low, to save construction money. I have experienced this in France and Spain as well as throughout Asia. More publicity needs to be given to these shortcomings and also the exclusions in travel insurance policies that limit insurer’s liabilities in what are sometimes the most serious incidents. Maybe people would take a little more care if they realised the dangers. Thailand ain’t Kansas, Toto! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamNoone88 Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 12 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said: I'm guessing alcohol consumption voided his insurance. In which case, what's the point of travel insurance? Drug use would definately void insurance. Not sure about alchohol unless it was together with a forbidden activity such as driving ... which it was clearly not. Anyway, all just speculation until the facts are known. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HappyExpat57 Posted July 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2023 I dated an insurance agent for a year and got to see the "behind the scenes" operations. It's nothing but legalized extortion and their default position is to deny anything and everything they can. Yes, the circumstances surrounding this event are unknown to us, but the insurance companies' primary goal is always clear - deny, deny, deny! 6 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 Of course we will get into the usual discussion of bad insurance companies and reading the conditions of the policy..... and many presuppositions. Poor lad... dangerous times for young males those late teens and early twenties....a recklessness in their ways. Hope they get him home.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post keithkarmann Posted July 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 6, 2023 The attempted rescue of the passengers of the Titan sub must have cost millions, all for what? How is it when a few £thousands are needed to to repatriate someone in need of life saving medical care offers are not forthcoming. I am not condoning the injured party's stupidity but if this balcony fall happened in his own country medical care would be unlimited. The only difference I can see here is that the occupants of the sub were very wealthy but the chances are that the families of the sub occupants will not be asked for payment of the rescue. 1 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post youngster30uk Posted July 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 6, 2023 Many policies have excluded falls from balconies for some years already Insurance companies crack down on holidaymakers claiming for balcony fall injuries Aviva underwriter Kate Niven said: ‘The requirement that you take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and prevent accidents is already present in all travel policies. To clarify further . . . we will be excluding claims for balcony falls.’ 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CecilM Posted July 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 6, 2023 2 hours ago, kwilco said: there needs to be a serious revue of balcony designs in Thailand - the rails are dangerously low especially for Westerners who are generally taller than Thai people. Really? Two decades here and I’ve yet to see a balcony or railing at a mall/ hotel/resort where I thought “Oh, that looks a bit low”. 1 1 1 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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