Expert Travel Lawyers Secure Settlement Following Egyptian Resort Illness

Two holidaymakers who had their lives ‘turned upside down’ after being struck down by severe illness during a two-week holiday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt  which left one of them on an IV drip, have received a settlement after legal action by expert travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.

Claire Maidment, 27, from Washington, Tyne and Wear travelled to the Hauza Beach resort for a relaxing break with her partner, Nathan Rawkins, 25, in December 2010.

A few days into the holiday both of them began to suffer from gastric illness, with symptoms including diarrhoea, sickness and stomach pains. Claire visited a doctor at the resort on three separate occasions and had to be placed on an IV drip to rehydrate her.

Claire’s symptoms continued when she returned to the UK and she has been diagnosed with post-infective irritable bowel syndrome as a result of the illness she suffered on holiday, which was booked through the Freedom Travel Group.

Specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who have been approached by holidaymakers who suffered similar problems at the Hauza Beach resort every year from 2009 to 2014, say they hope the couple can now put the ordeal behind them and move on with their lives.

Freedom Travel Group continued to dispute the cause of the on-going health issues Claire faces, but finally agreed settlement just three weeks before Trial.

The couple had told their expert legal team at Irwin Mitchell that the conditions were not what they expected and that they regularly saw food that was lukewarm and left uncovered for long periods of time, dishes that looked like they had been served at lunchtime and again at dinner time. The couple also noticed the hotel’s public toilet facilities they used had not been properly cleaned.

Clare Pearson, a travel law expert within the International Personal Injury team at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, said:

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“Claire and Nathan suffered a terrible ordeal and their relaxing break in Egypt was ruined by illness. Claire was forced to seek medical treatment at the resort and is still experiencing symptoms to this day.

“This should have been an enjoyable two weeks for them, but they have understandably been left extremely angry and upset by their experience.

“Hopefully Claire will now be able to put this ordeal behind her and begin looking forward.” Clare Pearson - Legal Executive & Associate

Claire, a care assistant, said: “I’ve had an absolutely horrible time with my symptoms, both while I was in Egypt and since I’ve come back home. Some of the medical tests I’ve been through have been awful and my diagnosis just added insult to injury.

“The last thing I expected when I went to Egypt in 2010 was to be suffering an illness related to the holiday for what may be an indefinite period, which is embarrassing for me and will be with me for the foreseeable future.

“Now a settlement has been secured I will finally be able to move on from what I went through and the impact it has had on my day-to-day life.”

If you've suffered an illness whilst abroad or on holiday, our personal injury solicitors could help you claim compensation. Visit our Holiday Sickness Claims & Illness Compensation page for more information.