Our travel lawyers helped a woman who developed a severe rash during a holiday in the Dominican Republic and continues to suffer from a skin condition four years later.
Jessica and her partner Aaron needed medical treatment for the rashes they developed during their two week stay at the Sirensis Cocotal Hotel in Punta Cana back in 2011. They visited the resort’s doctor, who gave Aaron medication to treat the red blisters that had formed on his skin. When she returned home Jessica was off work for a month, recovering from the severe skin condition known as pompholyx, which left the skin on her hands and feet sensitive, peeling and dry. Our clients’ skin conditions were believed to have been caused by bed bugs.
We were able to secure Jessica and Aaron settlements from Thomas Cook, the tour operator, despite them denying responsibility for the illness.
Jessica, who works as an aircraft co-ordinator at Manchester Airport, said: “I had never been on a long-haul holiday and the trip was supposed to be a special break for both of us. Instead, the problems we suffered made it a very frightening experience and I just wanted to get home. It was not just the rash that spoiled the holiday, there were a number of other things wrong with the hotel. There were lots of insects in our hotel room and the fridge and lights in our first hotel room were not working properly.
“When Aaron and I complained to both the Thomas Cook Representative and the staff at the hotel they did not seem to take our complaints very seriously and at times it felt like I was spending more time complaining than I was enjoying the holiday.”
“When you go on holiday you just never expect in a million years to suffer these issues and now I have no choice but to live with my condition which seems to have been made worse by the holiday, which is immensely frustrating. This was supposed to be a memorable break but looking back now, I just wish we’d never gone.”
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.
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