Legal claim against Thomson tour operators

A family from Birmingham on their first holiday abroad are suing the travel company who they claim took them on a holiday from hell in Jamaica during March this year.

Mr Andrew Alexander (32) from Castlevale Birmingham, his wife Lorraine (33) and five children Daniel (13), Joshua (12), Keisha (10), Andre (3), and Latia (2) had booked their holiday to the Starfish Trelawny Beach Hotel in Jamaica through Thomson Tour Operators.

Their problems began at Manchester Airport where there was no evidence of the family's booking on the system. The Alexanders were told there was enough room on-board the flight however despite the Tour Operators admitting their mistake the family were told that they would not be receiving any of the extras they had paid for including their reserved in-flight meals.

The nightmare continued on the flight where Mr Alexander alleges that he was subjected to both physical and verbal abuse from two women who were sat in the row in front of him. Air stewards had to come to his rescue, however, despite a request for the police to be called once they landed this did not happen. The Manchester Metropolitan Police are currently investigating the incident.

Poor hotel conditions

According to the family the resort itself was infested with ants and flies which the hotel manager explained was due to the local swamp. The family also experienced poor hotel conditions and claimed that the food at the Hotel was raw and inedible, with flies all over it.

On the ninth day of their holiday five of the family members fell ill with extreme diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps. The hotel's nurse was called and quickly provided medication to help relieve some of the symptoms however their illness continued to worsen. Two days later the nurse re-visited the family who had now become almost bed-stricken and advised them to go to the local hospital.

On arrival at the hospital Mr and Mrs Alexander were diagnosed with acute-gastroenteritis whilst their young son Andre was also diagnosed with Pneumonia. The doctor at the hospital also confirmed that there had been an outbreak at the hotel in the past couple of weeks and he had seen a number of guests being forced to come to the hospital.

Thomson tour operators did not warn over past illness outbreak

Mr Alexander said "We cannot believe Thomson did not warn us of the illness outbreak at the Hotel especially as they knew we were travelling with two young babies. The holiday was an absolute nightmare from start to finish and a complete waste of money."

Since their return to the UK some of the family have had continuing symptoms which have necessitated visits to the hospital, where injections and further medication have been administered.

Holiday illness solicitor for claim against tour operator

Robert Newman, a holiday illness solicitor of Irwin Mitchell solicitors who represents the Alexander family in their claim against Thompson's Tour Operators said:

"This hotel has had several illness outbreaks in the last few years. The Alexander's illness and ruined holiday could probably have been easily avoided if Thomson's had informed them prior to flying of the outbreak of illness at the resort. It's a great shame that their first holiday abroad was ruined by illness and that their symptoms continue to affect a number of the family to date."

If you or someone you know has been effected by holiday illness or poor holiday conditions, you may be able to make a claim against your tour operator. Fill in our online claims form for free legal advice.