Birmingham Family Seeking Answers After ‘Nightmare’ Stay At Egyptian Resort

Specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed for the third consecutive year by holidaymakers who have suffered gastric illness whilst staying at the Sharm Plaza Resort in Egypt.
 
Ian Bulman, a 50-year-old drainage engineer, from Birmingham, has revealed how he, his wife Jennifer Bulman, a 43-year-old retail assistant, and their daughter had to seek medical advice during a two-week stay at the resort in June and are continuing to suffer gastric symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea months on from their holiday.
 
The severity of the illness meant that Ian required medical treatment in Egypt as he battled the illness during the holiday, booked via the tour operator Red Sea Holidays Ltd.
 
Now, after instructing specialist travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the illness, the family have spoken out about their experience and revealed how they want answers regarding how they became so ill.
 
Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who have vast experience having helped thousands of holidaymakers gain financial support and answers regarding illness problems, are already representing people affected by gastric illness in 2013 and 2014 and are therefore concerned to hear of yet further cases of illness at the resort.

Expert Opinion

“We are very concerned by the reports that we have heard regarding the experience faced by Ian and his family with their story demonstrating the lasting impact that such illness problems can cause.

“It is of particular concern that this is the third year in a row that we have been instructed to take legal action regarding illness at this resort.

“We have now begun our own investigations in relation to the cause of our clients illness and would be keen to hear from anyone else who may have suffered similar issues, and has further information regarding conditions at the resort who may be able to help with our enquiries.” Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Ian and Jennifer Bulman have reported that they experienced a number of problems with the resort such as the poor quality of the food which was often lukewarm in temperature, and buffet food often being left uncovered.

The family also revealed that they were served meat which appeared to be undercooked and how they frequently saw birds flying around the restaurant area. They recall how even basic appliances in the rooms, such as the television and the air conditioning unit, were broken, and that there were ants in their bed and around the room where Stacie, their daughter, was sleeping.
 
The family witnessed large pieces of broken glass on the floor outside which was left there for quite some time and they were shocked to notice how unclean the public toilets were in the resort.  The pool was often littered with debris and dead flies, and the family recall a constant abundance of mosquitos around the pool.
 
The Bulman family fell ill several days into their fortnight break at the Sharm Plaza Resort in June 2015, with Ian developing gastric illness symptoms shortly after his wife Jennifer, aged 43, and their 17-year-old daughter Stacie.
 
Drainage engineer Ian recalls: “My wife fell ill first, followed by Stacie and then me. It was absolutely awful and we were dropping like flies. We just never expected the holiday to turn out the way it did. It was completely ruined”
 
The severity of the symptoms led Ian to visit a local pharmacist for advice, however the medication the pharmacist suggested to help with his symptoms had little impact upon him and so he consulted the onsite doctor who prescribed further medication and injections. The gastric illness continued upon his return to the UK and so Ian had to also consult his GP with regards to managing his illness symptoms.
 
Ian added: “We had really been looking forward to this family holiday for a long time and it turned out to be a complete nightmare. I am still struggling now with gastric Illness which affects my life on a daily basis.
 
“This was supposed to be a memorable break but now we simply wish we had never gone. We feel like we deserve answers regarding the cause of our illness and are concerned to learn of others having fallen ill in past years."