Holidaymakers Still Receiving Treatment Months After Returning To The UK
A group of 20 holidaymakers are taking legal action against tour operator TUI UK Limited after falling ill during their summer holiday at the Island of Sal in Cape Verde where they say they witnessed poor food hygiene practices, including under-cooked chicken being served.
Among those affected was Elizabeth Gordon, 34, from Mitcham in South-West London, who was with her family, including her two children, staying at the Melia Dunas Resort this year in late July, early August.
Elizabeth fell ill two days into her holiday, suffering from gastric illness symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting and fever. On her return to the UK, Elizabeth was still suffering from these symptoms and after seeing her doctor, she has advised she was diagnosed with Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
GORD is when acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus, usually occurring as a result of the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus becoming weakened.
Expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are now investigating conditions and hygiene standards at the Melia Dunas Resort after being instructed by Elizabeth, who is still being treated with antibiotics four months after staying at the hotel, and 19 other holidaymakers.
Elizabeth, who booked her summer holiday through TUI UK, has told her legal team that on occasions she witnessed poor food hygiene practices such as new food regularly being placed on top of the existing food that was already out on the buffet. More concerning is that on some occasions some food was served under-cooked.
Simon O’Loughlin, an international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the group, said: “Elizabeth, and the rest of the group, wanted and expected to spend their summer holiday relaxing and enjoying themselves. Instead they were left suffering from gastric illness symptoms.
“What is most concerning is that this isn’t an isolated case. We have had 20 holidaymakers so far come forward and they believe that they are not the only ones who were affected by illness during their stay at the hotel.
“We have now launched our own investigation into the conditions at the hotel and we would urge anyone else impacted by illness at the hotel in 2016 to contact us.”
Elizabeth, a Fund Raising Manager, said: “This was meant to be a special holiday for me to relax with my family instead it turned into a nightmare in which I am still suffering.
“The restaurant did not feel like a clean place, with the cutlery, crockery and table linen on many occasions all visibly dirty. I was disgusted with the amount of blue bottle flies which were landing on the food and even after we asked the staff to cover the food, our requests were ignored.
“I put my trust in TUI UK Limited when I booked my holiday, and I feel let down by them. I would hate for others to suffer the same way I have, so I would ask anyone who has visited the hotel this year and has been ill as well to come forward and contact my legal team.”
The hotel did offer Elizabeth and her group, 10 Euros each in compensation after they complained about the illness they were suffering from. The group refused this offer.
If you have stayed at the Melia Dunas Resort in Cape Verde and experienced gastric illness symptoms, please contact Simon O’Loughlin on 0121 212 1828 or email Simon.oloughlin@IrwinMitchell.com.
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.