We helped Ian* claim compensation to fund his ongoing treatment after he contracted Legionnaires’ disease during an overnight stay in a hotel.

How did we help Ian?

In June 2021, Ian spent a night at the Port Lympne Hotel in Hythe, Kent. The stay was shortly after the Government announced hotels could reopen for leisure guests following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Shortly after his stay, Ian began to experience flu-like symptoms. His symptoms included aches, pains, and dehydration. These became worse over the next few days, and he also experienced the following symptoms:

• Chronic diarrhoea
• Bright orange urine
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Sweats.

A week and a half after his stay at the hotel, Ian was admitted to hospital. He spent several days in intensive care before being discharged.

Public Health England investigated the hotel, and their tests showed signs of Legionella bacteria. Legionella was detected in the showers hot and cold-water supply to the suite occupied by Ian, as well as another suite.

How did this impact Ian?

Ian had retired from his role as an assistant head teacher in 2014 and worked on a supply teacher basis over the years. He was due to return to work as an assistant head teacher on a full-time informal basis in September 2021.

Due to his health issues, he was unable to work on a full-time basis and worked reduced days (2/3 days a week) for some time after.

He loved his job, and the decision to take a step back wasn’t easy for Ian.

Ian’s family were also impacted by the illness. They feared the worst when they saw him in intensive care. The whole experience isn’t something Ian, or his family, will easily forget.

How did Irwin Mitchell help Ian?

Ian came to our public health team to claim compensation for the illness suffered and trauma caused by contracting the disease while at the hotel.

Sarita Sharma, a solicitor in our Birmingham office, helped Ian with his claim against the hotel. Sarita started by gathering evidence, including his medical records and the Public Health England records. She also obtained evidence from an independent respiratory physician and psychologist for their expert views.

A letter of claim was sent to the hotel. The opposing side admitted liability. Thereafter court proceedings were issued, and with a court date listing the claim for a hearing, we settled Ian’s claim before the hearing.

Ian received a substantial six-figure settlement that’ll help him fund ongoing treatment. He’ll now be able to move forward from the traumatic events knowing the opposing side admitted liability, and he and his family are financially secure.

Expert opinion

On Ian’s claim, Sarita said: “Ian’s experience is yet another example of the terrible and lasting impact Legionnaires’ disease can have on people’s physical and mental health.

“Although no amount of money will make up for the trauma he experienced, he can now move forward from the traumatic events knowing the opposing side admitted liability, and he is financially secure.”

*Name changed to protect client’s identity.

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