Glasgow Man Tells Of Illness Ordeal After Stay At Greek Hotel

The husband of a Glasgow woman who fell critically ill with Legionnaires’ disease following a stay at a Greek hotel has spoken for the first time of the ordeal she has faced.

Eric Gorman instructed specialist travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help the couple gain answers after an ‘horrendous’ few months in which medical professionals initially told him his wife Christine may not survive after contracting the potentially fatal illness.

Christine was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital with Legionnaires’ disease upon her return from a two-week stay at the Three Brothers Hotel in Corfu, Greece in July last year.

Mrs Gorman continues to suffer as a result of her illness and her husband is worried she will never fully recover from the ordeal she has faced and is looking for answers regarding what she has been through.

Irwin Mitchell has previously acted for a victim whose dream Caribbean cruise was ruined by Legionnaire’s disease.  The pensioner contracted Legionnaire’s disease during a three week luxury cruise on the Sea Princess cruise ship and upon return to the UK was hospitalised for two weeks.  Liability was denied however Irwin Mitchell successfully secured the victim and his wife a £20,000 settlement.

Clare Comiskey, the legal specialist in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team representing Eric and Christine in their legal action against tour operator Thomson, said: “We have heard worrying reports regarding what our clients have faced as a result of these illness problems. Instead of coming home feeling relaxed after their holiday, Christine was left fighting for her life.

“Through our work, we have seen numerous examples of the huge long term health implications that illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease can have, so our attention is now focused on thoroughly investigating this issue.

“The ultimate priority must be to ensure that this couple get the answers they deserve regarding their ordeal. As we conduct our investigations we would urge anyone who stayed at the Three Brothers Hotel and who may be able to provide information about the conditions there to get in contact with us as soon as possible.”

Expert travel lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team have vast experience in helping victims of illness outbreaks across the UK and abroad in gaining answers and access to vital financial support to aid their recovery. We have previously acted for victims of fatal outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in recent years including Diamanté Beach Hotel in Spain, Edinburgh and Stoke-on-Trent. 

Retired couple Eric, aged 73 and Christine Gorman, 75, visited the Three Brothers Hotel in Sidari, Corfu, for two weeks from July 18th. Following their return home, Eric became increasingly concerned about his wife’s condition.

Eric recalls: “During the last few days of the holiday I noticed Christine was not her normal self and I became concerned that she was not well. When we returned home Christine was still not herself and at some points she was hallucinating. It was really out of character and it was clear something wasn’t right.

“After seeing a doctor, she was admitted straight away to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and was put in intensive care with her condition becoming critical. I was so scared and couldn’t believe what was happening, with doctors even saying that they did not believe she would survive. Thankfully she is now home but she is still very poorly.

“My only concern now is the lasting impact this whole ordeal has had on her – particularly that she will never return to how she was. This whole experience has been a horrendous nightmare and the only way we’re going to put it behind us is if we can gain some answers regarding how she came to develop this awful illness.”

If you or a loved one has fallen ill or had an accident while on holiday, find out how our friendly solicitors could help you with your claim.