151 British holidaymakers who travelled to the Hotel Soviva, between May and December 2002, developed illnesses as a result of their stays at the luxury Tunisian hotel.
The travellers complained of diarrhoea and sickness and some contracted serious bacterial infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter during their stays at the four-star resort.
Some of the holidaymakers were left with long term conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) contracted as a result of their initial illness.
Following a legal battle, the tour operator First Choice was forced to admit liability for the claims, which arose from stays at the Hotel Soviva in Port El Kantaoui.
One of the group who was awarded £17,000 after her stay at the Hotel Soviva in August 2002. She fell ill within a few days of arriving at the hotel, suffering with severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
After returning to the UK, the holidaymaker visited her GP and needed hospital treatment. She was later diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was told that she would suffer from the condition for the rest of her life.
She said: "I'm happy that First Choice finally settled my case. This is not just about a ruined holiday. I will have to live with the effects of this illness for the rest of my life. Prior to the holiday, I enjoyed gardening and cooking but I now find even simple things like that a struggle."
Another holidaymaker who also fell ill whilst holidaying at the hotel was awarded £13,000 in damages.
The client said: "If First Choice had taken care of its customers in the first place and had listened to their concerns, then taking them to Court could have been avoided. First Choice consistently refused to admit that this was their responsibility but I'm pleased that, by taking legal action with Irwin Mitchell, I have now won fair compensation."
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