International Travel Lawyers Instructed To Investigate Cause Of Illness

A retired couple are taking legal action after their Egyptian holiday with their young grandchild was ruined when they suffered severe gastric illness while staying at a hotel which has been the subject of claims in previous years.

Lillian Foote and her partner Geoff Humphries travelled for a family holiday with their 7-year-old granddaughter Tia, to the Hauza Beach, Nabq Bay in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in September 2012 but were struck down with severe gastric illness ruining their trip.

The family of three from Warrington, in Cheshire were looking forward to a relaxing break but instead two of them started to suffer from diarrhoea, sickness and abdominal pain. Lillian, 62, has been left with on-going health problems since their holiday three years ago.

Geoff, 64, also fell ill with severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea and had to self-medicate with anti-diarrhoea tablets whilst in Egypt but has since made a full recovery.

Specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing the couple are also aware of other holidaymakers who have fallen ill at this resort in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Irwin Mitchell has called on tour operator The Freedom Travel Group to work with them to resolve Lillian and Geoff’s cases amicably without the need for formal court proceedings, to date, no formal denial of liability has been received in respect of the claims and negotiations on behalf of Lillian and Geoff continue.

Expert Opinion

“Lillian and Geoff were looking forward to taking their granddaughter Tia away for ten days in Egypt. Unfortunately, as both Lillian and Geoff fell ill during their stay and throughout their holiday, the break was unfortunately ruined.

“Over the years we have handled thousands of holiday illness cases and have seen just how devastating gastric problems can be for those affected and we have also represented dozens of clients who have also stayed at the Hauza Beach resort and fallen ill during their stay.”
Clare Pearson - Legal Executive & Associate

The couple have told lawyers how there was no water or drinks in the room and when they requested some cola this was sent to the room but with the seal already broken.

They have complained of food on the buffet being left out for long periods of time, there were also flies seen landing on some of the food and they found that some of the meat was undercooked as they bit into it.

Lillian said: “We were all really looking forward to getting away from it all and having a relaxing family holiday together. I started to feel unwell only a few days into our stay at the hotel; I had to go to the chemist at the resort as the symptoms were not easing.

“I suffer from diabetes and became increasingly concerned that as my condition got worse I may suffer a hypoglycaemic event. Ever since we got back from our holiday, I have continued to suffer from bowel problems which I may be stuck with permanently.

“Hopefully, our legal team at Irwin Mitchell will help us get the answers as to what caused Geoff and I to fall so ill which ruined our holiday.”