Travel Law Experts Investigate Cause Of Gastric Illness

A couple are taking legal action after falling ill with ‘terrible’ gastric symptoms during what they hoped would be a relaxing holiday in Tenerife to recuperate.

Geoffrey Gains and his wife travelled to the Spring Arona Gran Hotel for a 9 night break on 3 January this year to help Geoffrey’s recovery from an operation. But they say their plans were left in tatters after they both fell ill, causing Geoffrey to lose over half-a-stone and continue to suffer ongoing symptoms.

The couple from Alfreton in Derbyshire have now instructed international travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate with TUI UK Limited what caused their severe sickness, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and lethargy and say they are concerned as they saw a number of others also fall ill during their stay.

Elizabeth Tetzner, a specialist travel lawyer representing the couple, said: “Mr and Mrs Gains both suffered terrible gastric symptoms during their holiday which meant they could not enjoy the facilities as they had hoped.

“As well as disrupting holidays, gastric illness can cause long-term health problems and we hope TUI UK Limited will now work with us quickly to investigate the reason for our clients’ illness.”

Geoffrey, 55, a former goods handler, said: “We had been really looking forward to a relaxing break in Tenerife as I had been in hospital for an operation.

“But not long after we arrived, we realised standards were not as we would have hoped.

“On one mealtime we noticed the beef tasted sour and smelt terrible and the mushrooms also tasted like they had chemicals on them. Within days we both started suffering terrible sickness and diarrhoea and I was so poorly I lost half-a-stone.

“We saw dozens of others in the hotel who were also ill and when we went to the local pharmacy to get medication we were told they had sold out.

“We were relieved to get back home but unfortunately I’m still suffering symptoms now which are a permanent reminder of our nightmare holiday.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise relating to illness abroad claims.