Expert Travel Lawyers Investigating Illness At Jaz Mirabel in Egypt
A couple whose holiday to Egypt was ruined by severe gastric illness last month have instructed expert travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the illness suffered by one of them as they continue to suffer symptoms weeks after returning home.
Alan and Lynda Blackledge, from Bury, Lancashire, arrived at the Jaz Mirabel hotel, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt expecting to enjoy a relaxing holiday in the sun in June this year.
However, just days into the holiday, Alan, 55, started to suffer from diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain. Alan was unable to enjoy the facilities at the hotel and was restricted to his room for long parts of the holiday. Alan’s symptoms continued on his return to the UK and he was forced to visit his local GP for medical treatment.
The couple have now instructed expert travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the illness and whether more could have been done by the hotel to prevent it.
The law firm, which has vast experience in representing holidaymakers who have suffered illness or injury in holiday resorts across the globe, have represented holidaymakers returning from the Jaz Mirabel every year since 2007. In 2010, Irwin Mitchell successfully settled seven claims for almost £60,000 and more recently in 2013; a group of 9 holidaymakers settled their claims for over £30,000.
Irwin Mitchell will now be seeking to work with the tour operator Global Travel Group Limited, who in this particular case were trading as Holiday Gems, to investigate what went wrong at the hotel as they seek answers for the couple.
Alan and Mary, 53, said the hotel was not up to the standard they expected and that they regularly saw flies on the food in the restaurant that food was occasionally left uncovered for long periods of time and was often served at incorrect temperatures.
The couple also reported that other holidaymakers staying at the hotel in June were suffering with similar symptoms, some of those being young children.
Expert Opinion
“The illness Alan suffered at the Jaz Mirabel hotel is extremely concerning, particularly as his symptoms continue to affect his day-to-day life weeks after his return home.
“We will now be investigating the problems that Alan and Lynda have described as we seek to determine exactly what caused their gastric illness.
“The last thing they expected when booking their holiday was to be stuck in their hotel room for large parts of their stay with such debilitating symptoms.
“Understandably they now want answers as to how Alan fell ill and we would urge anyone else who has had a similar experience at the Jaz Mirabel to come forward as they may be able to help with our investigations.”
Jatinder Paul - Partner
Alan, a market supervisor, said: “We were shocked by the condition of the Jaz Mirabel’s restaurant when we arrived.
“The hygiene standards were not what we would have expected, as the food was sometimes lukewarm and could be left uncovered for long periods of time. We were not the only ones who fell ill and we hope that lessons are learnt so that others do not have to suffer in the same way that we have.
“I’m still suffering with these symptoms and have had to visit my GP for treatment. I am usually the one with the cast iron stomach but this time the illness got to me severely. I had lost my appetite on holiday and was too frightened to eat in case it made my symptoms worse. I am constantly tired now which is not like me. I am a very active person, and as a market supervisor, I have to be, as I am on my feet all day. It is the very last thing we expected when we booked the holiday and I want answers about why we were so badly let down.”