Deborah Thomas Was Admitted To Hospital Back In The UK With Gastric Illness

A woman who had to go to hospital after suffering gastric symptoms from the serious bacterial infection, campylobacter, following a holiday in Ibiza is taking legal action against tour operator TUI UK Limited as she remains ill weeks after her return home.

Deborah Thomas, from Sutton Coldfield, in the West Midlands, fell ill after staying at the Hotel Catalonia Ses Estaques on August 3, suffering with abdominal and joint pain, high fever and diarrhoea.

The 47 year-old nurse has instructed expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell after her symptoms became so bad that she was admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with campylobacter, often caused by raw and undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk or contaminated water.  

Jatinder Paul, an Associate Solicitor and expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Deborah, said: “Deborah’s illness has been very traumatic, and she is still suffering the after effects weeks after her return to the UK.

“Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning and from our work we understand just how serious it can be and the life-changing impact these kinds of illnesses can have on those unfortunate enough to develop them.

“We are now carrying out our investigations to determine how Deborah managed to contract campylobacter while on holiday and we would urge anyone else who suffered similar illness issues while staying at the hotel to contact us as they may be able to help with our enquiries.”

Deborah called her GP two days after she and her partner returned from their two-week break and she was diagnosed with gastroenteritis. But later that night her symptoms caused her so much pain she was advised by the NHS 111 service to go to hospital. There she was placed on an intravenous drip, given antibiotics and anti-sickness tablets.

She was then diagnosed with campylobacter and monitored overnight by doctors. Weeks later she is still suffering with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy.

Deborah said: “We were looking forward to the holiday for a while and hoped it would be a relaxing and enjoyable, but any relaxation I got was soon wiped out by food poisoning.

“The campylobacter has completely tarnished our holiday experience. The whole thing has been very unpleasant and distressing.

“You are supposed to feel relaxed after coming home from a holiday but I had to go to hospital and was put on a drip overnight. It was really upsetting and I’m still suffering from problems weeks on. It’s important that this is investigated to try and stop it happening again to others.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's work in international personal injury here.