British tourist disabled after being hit by falling palm tree in Sri Lanka sues former lawyers after they 'messed up chance to get her £4.5million payout'

Detailed summary

British tourist Claire Saywell is suing Slater and Gordon UK after they 'messed up' her £4.5million compensation claim against tour operator Tui after she was left injured in Sri Lanka.

Published: 11:09 GMT, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 13:54 GMT, 12 November 2026

A British tourist left disabled after she was crushed by a falling palm tree in Sri Lanka is suing her former lawyers after they 'messed up' her £4.5million compensation claim.

Claire Saywell was relaxing at the four-star Club Hotel Dolphin resort with her husband when a 100ft tree fell across her sun-bed, shattering her legs.

Three men rushed to help lift the tree off her following the incident in the western town of Waikkal, in February 2017.

Her legs were bent backwards at the knees in a 'v-shape' by the weight of the falling trunk crashing through her lounger, she said.

Moments before the incident she had closed her eyes while sunbathing, before feeling 'this excruciating pain in my legs'.

Mrs Saywell, 51, from Sittingbourne, Kent, underwent emergency surgery in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo before being flown back home.

She has since had multiple operations on her legs and has had to give up work due to 'continuing disabilities'.

The former insurance consultant subsequently enlisted Slater and Gordon UK to issue a personal injury claim against the travel agent, Tui.

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