Experts Call For Lessons To Be Learned From Recent Closure

Legal experts in Birmingham have said it is vital that every effort is made to learn lessons from the closure of a West Midlands leisure centre in relation to reported illness problems.

The Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre in Wednesfield was closed last weekend following complaints that a number of swimmers had been struck by illness after using facilities at the site.

According to local media, the Health Protection Agency has received reports of problems at the site while one parent has told the Express & Star that she knows of seven people affected by the issues.

The leisure centre has since re-opened its facilities, stating on its website that the closure was related to “a technical issue”.

Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham-based illness lawyers have vast experience in acting for victims of outbreaks in the UK and abroad, helping a huge number of people to gain answers and justice over the problems they have endured.

The team notably act for around 50 people affected by the major Legionnaires’ outbreaks across Stoke-on-Trent and Edinburgh earlier this year, and have also been involved in numerous successful cases related to cryptosporidiosis.

Suki Chhokar, a Partner and specialist in illness cases at Irwin Mitchell, said: “People affected by cryptosporidium can suffer severe symptoms ranging from vomiting, diarrhoea and significant weight loss.

“We have seen numerous instances when victims have actually been left with long-term health problems after suffering from the infection in hotels in the UK and abroad, as well as at other resorts and on cruise liners across the globe.

“While it appears that the reported problems have been tackled by the leisure centre, we would urge the site to work with health authorities to carefully consider how hygiene standards can be improved to prevent further problems of this kind.”