Over 300 People Affected By Illness Outbreak

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Health team has been contacted by a number of restaurant goers who have suffered gastrointestinal illness after visiting Wahaca, a Mexican restaurant chain earlier this month.

The Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell currently represent hundreds of people who have suffered illness in the UK, including The Toby Carvery outbreak in Exeter in 2015 where they currently act for over 300 people, and have successfully recovered compensation groups of Claimants who suffered illness as a result of the Newcastle Spice Festival, Grand Hotel Scarborough and Stoke Legionnaires outbreaks.

It was recently reported that over 300 guests and staff from various Wahaca restaurants around the country experienced similar symptoms and it is understood that Public Health England have commenced its own investigations.

A number of those affected by this outbreak are reported to have suffered with gastric symptoms which include vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Having successfully represented thousands of people unfortunate enough to have contracted gastric illness, the team at Irwin Mitchell know first-hand the potential long term effects which can be associated with such illness, with sometimes permanent long term complications arising such as post-infective Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). 

Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and head of the Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“This latest outbreak sends a clear message that health and safety standards simply cannot be compromised when you are working in the food industry.

“We have worked with thousands of people who have fallen ill as a result of outbreaks of food poisoning, both in the UK and abroad, seeing first-hand the impact gastric illness can have on the victims’ day-today lives and their long-term health.

“It is imperative that the restaurant chain, if it has not already done so, takes clear and decisive steps to try to ensure that there will not be a repeat of these issues.

“If you have recently visited one of the Wahaca restaurants and have subsequently suffered from symptoms of illness, we would like to hear from you, which will assist us with our investigations.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner

If you or a loved one has suffered food poisoning due to poor hygiene standards, our illness compensation claims team could help you secure compensation. See our Food Poisoning Compensation page for more information.