Expert Travel Lawyers Secure Five-Figure Settlement For Couple

Specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have successfully secured a five-figure settlement for a newlywed couple after their honeymoon to the Dominican Republic turned into a disaster when the new bride fell dangerously ill and ended up in hospital.

Devastated Maria and Anthony Pearman from Pershore in Worcestershire travelled to the five-star Royal Suites Turquesa for their honeymoon in January 2013, which was booked with TUI UK Limited, but Maria fell ill and ended up in hospital hooked up to a drip.

The settlement has been secured despite TUI UK Limited failing to either admit or deny liability.

Maria, 41, who works as a midwife, fell ill eight days into their honeymoon suffering from severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, a fever and dizziness.

The couple instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of Maria’s illness. Maria and Anthony told expert travel lawyers of various complaints about the hotel including: ‘on occasions some of the food appeared to be undercooked, some food did not appear hot enough and they noticed during a number of sittings that fresh food was left out uncovered during the sitting.’ 

Expert Opinion

This should have been the most memorable weeks of their lives, and their honeymoon together is a once in a lifetime experience, but sadly those memories were completely ruined by the illness Maria suffered.

Whilst no amount of money can make up for what Maria and Anthony went through we hope that they can now start to put their ruined celebration holiday behind them.”
Elizabeth Tetzner - Partner

Maria said: “This holiday was not only to celebrate our honeymoon but for my 40^th birthday and it was a complete disaster. Anthony and I visited the hotel four years earlier and had a wonderful time, but we were bitterly disappointed with the conditions at the hotel when we returned.

“I was really unwell for the last week of our honeymoon and was pretty much confined to the hotel resort. I also had to take one week off from work when I got home because I was struggling to get over the horrible symptoms.

“I am still continuing to suffer from bowel problems now and it has impacted upon my confidence and my social life as I don’t feel I can go out with friends as much as I used to.

“We are pleased and relieved that with the help of our legal team at Irwin Mitchell that we have now received a settlement for our holiday which was ruined whilst staying at the Royal Suites Hotel. We can now move forward from this and put the ordeal behind us.”