13.08.2014
Katie Francis, 23, had surprised her mum by booking a trip of a lifetime to the Grand Paradise Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana in May 2011 as a belated Mother’s Day present.
The veterinary care assistant, from Colchester, was hoping they could enjoy a relaxing family break in the Caribbean sun but says they were faced with what she describes as ‘atrocious’ conditions at the hotel which included occasions where;
• Sewage smells were noticeable in public areas of the hotel;
• Food sometimes appeared undercooked;
• Food which should have been served hot was lukewarm;
• Dirty water was used to rinse food preparation areas ;
• Food was served uncovered and exposed to insects in the vicinity
Katie fell ill midway through the trip suffering with severe diarrhoea and painful stomach cramps. Over three years on, she continues to experience symptoms, which she says have affected her social life and her relationship, but thankfully she is now learning to cope with her illness.
Katie said: “I would definitely not travel to the Dominican again after my holiday from hell.
“This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday and a lovely Mother’s Day treat but it quickly turned into an absolute nightmare. I am glad that I now have justice and hope that no one else has to go through such an awful experience.”
Specialist Travel Lawyers Welcome Settlement for Essex Woman
Specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have secured a settlement of £10,000 for a woman who fell ill during a holiday to the Dominican Republic that has left her with ongoing gastric symptoms and memories of a ‘holiday from hell’ rather than the dream trip she had planned.Katie Francis, 23, had surprised her mum by booking a trip of a lifetime to the Grand Paradise Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana in May 2011 as a belated Mother’s Day present.
The veterinary care assistant, from Colchester, was hoping they could enjoy a relaxing family break in the Caribbean sun but says they were faced with what she describes as ‘atrocious’ conditions at the hotel which included occasions where;
• Sewage smells were noticeable in public areas of the hotel;
• Food sometimes appeared undercooked;
• Food which should have been served hot was lukewarm;
• Dirty water was used to rinse food preparation areas ;
• Food was served uncovered and exposed to insects in the vicinity
Katie fell ill midway through the trip suffering with severe diarrhoea and painful stomach cramps. Over three years on, she continues to experience symptoms, which she says have affected her social life and her relationship, but thankfully she is now learning to cope with her illness.
Amandeep Dhillon, is a Partner in the International Personal Injury team at Irwin Mitchell.
Expert Opinion
The conditions Katie reported at the hotel were concerning.
“Katie’s illness resulted in her suffering extremely unpleasant symptoms over a number of days – ruining her holiday and resulting in further health problems following her return home.
“We are pleased that the legal battle is over for Katie and hope that the settlement allows her to move forward with her life.”
Amandeep Dhillon - Partner
Katie said: “I would definitely not travel to the Dominican again after my holiday from hell.
“This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday and a lovely Mother’s Day treat but it quickly turned into an absolute nightmare. I am glad that I now have justice and hope that no one else has to go through such an awful experience.”
Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise relating to illness abroad claims
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