Call for Answers Regarding Illness ‘Ordeal’

A woman, whose special break at a five-star Cuban holiday resort to mark her 60th birthday was ruined when both she and her husband developed suspected Salmonella, has instructed specialist lawyers to investigate their ‘ordeal’ and help them gain justice.

Teresa Bridgeman, from Reading, has revealed how she started to develop gastric symptoms towards the end of her two-week stay at the Paradisus Rio De Oro in September 2018, with her husband Eric, 55, who also began suffering with the same illness whilst at the resort.

The symptoms proved so severe that both of them were treated and placed on drips by the hotel’s on-site doctor. They also had further treatment on their return to the UK, with tests ultimately suggesting that they had contracted Salmonella.

Eric lost a stone in weight as a result of the illness. The problems were a particularly hard blow for the couple to take, as they had previously switched their holiday to the adult-only Paradisus Rio De Oro Resort and Spa after seeing reports of illness at their original choice of holiday destination.

Now, following the problems, the couple have called on Irwin Mitchell’s specialist holiday illness team to help them to secure answers and justice regarding their experience.

Expert Opinion

“This is a shocking case with our clients opting to visit this resort due to illness elsewhere, but still ultimately falling ill.

“We are hugely concerned by the problems that they faced during his holiday and are determined to help them understand how these issues could have happened during what was meant to be a special break.

“It is absolutely vital that lessons are learned from issues like this so that other holidaymakers do not face similar problems in the future.

“We have already begun our own investigation into the holiday and are keen to determine what caused Teresa and Eric to fall ill. As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Paradisus Rio De Oro Resort and Spa, Cuba.” Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling holiday illness cases 

Teresa Bridgeman had celebrated her 60th birthday on 2 September, just two days before her and Eric’s holiday at Paradisus Rio De Oro – which was booked through Thomas Cook – began.

Teresa said: “While we had seen a few issues which concerned us, such as chicken being served undercooked on occasions and at times flies on and around the food, the illness still came as a major surprise. It started with headaches and a sore throat but soon developed into other issues like diarrhoea. It was a complete and utter ordeal.

“Shortly after my symptoms started, Eric then started to struggle and he was in a really bad way. We both saw the resort doctor and were placed on drips – it was just unbelievable.”

Upon their return to the UK, the couple were placed on antibiotics and tests that were carried out suggested a Salmonella infection. While Teresa had time to recover, Eric had to battle through the illness as he had to return to his role as a self-employed scaffolder.

Teresa added: “It was horrible to see how the illness affected Eric and he lost a stone in weight altogether. The flight home presented a challenge in itself, and unfortunately Eric was sick on the plane as soon as he smelt food.

“A particularly difficult aspect to take about the holiday was that we had actually switched to staying at this resort, after reports of illness emerged in relation to our original choice. Despite our efforts, we still fell ill.

“We are so frustrated and angry about everything that has happened and just feel that we deserve some answers. While nothing will change what we faced, we just hope that no one else has to go through this and that standards at the resort can ultimately be improved.”