Holidaymaker Needed Hospital Treatment After Illness At ‘Five-Star Cattery’

A woman, who was hospitalised and needed time off work after developing symptoms of salmonella towards the end of a luxury break at a five-star resort in Turkey, has called on lawyers to help her find answers regarding her ‘nightmare’ illness.

Tracy Marlor, 51, from Darlington, was coming to the end of her week-long stay at the Paloma Foresta resort in Antalya in May last year when she started to develop gastric illness symptoms including diarrhoea, severe stomach cramps, bloating, lethargy and weight loss.

Tracy had travelled to Turkey with her husband for a long awaited break. Both had been looking forward to spending quality time together away from their daily lives.

With the problems persisting on her return to the UK, she visited her GP and was subsequently taken to hospital where she stayed for four days after being diagnosed with salmonella.

Following an incredibly difficult period, Tracy has now approached Irwin Mitchell’s specialist holiday illness team to investigate the illness she suffered and whether more should have been done to prevent it.

The legal experts have vast experience of providing advice and support to thousands of people who have suffered injury and illness during holidays, helping them to access vital financial support to aid their recovery in the process.

The team has recovered millions of pounds from tour operators including representing more than 600 people who fell ill at the Holiday Village in Turkey over successive years between 2009 and 2014, and more than 1,000 who fell ill following holidays at the Bahia Principe in the Dominican Republic in 2007. The firm also notably acts for more than 45 holidaymakers who suffered illness at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel also in Hurghada, Egypt, last summer.

Expert Opinion

“This terrible case highlights the devastating impact that gastric illness problems can have, with Tracy not only needing hospital treatment but also having to take time off work as she attempted to recover.

“We are hugely concerned by the first-hand account provided to us regarding the resort in question and have already begun our own investigation into the holiday.

"We are keen to determine what caused Tracy 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 Paloma Foresta Resort, Turkey.

“We are determined to not only ensure that Tracy gets the answers she deserves but also that, where possible, lessons can be learned to help prevent other holidaymakers from suffering, in a similar manner in the future.” Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

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

Tracy's stay at the Paloma Foresta, which was booked through Thomas Cook, started on May 20. However, she was left devastated when she started to develop illness on the penultimate day.

She recalled: “I had not been impressed by many aspects of the resort to be honest, as I’d seen issues like food being served lukewarm on occasions, at times inadequate cleaning and even cats wandering around and taking food from tables too. However, I simply never expected to fall ill like I did.

“It was quite surreal, the cats would roam around the hotel freely, and quite often they were being sick around the hotel. It was like we were staying at a five-star cattery, not a holiday resort.

“I was in a really bad way and while I managed to make it home, I was stunned when my GP told me to get to hospital. I couldn’t believe I had salmonella and the whole thing was a nightmare that completely turned my life upside down.”

While Tracy, a business support officer, needed two weeks off work following the problems, she continued to suffer with the after-effects of the illness up until the end of last year.

Tracy added: “Not only did I need time off work, but some of the symptoms lasted for many months afterwards.

“This was meant to be an unforgettable holiday but now it will only ever be remembered for all of the wrong reasons. Months on from the break I am still so angry and frustrated by what happened and just want to have my voice heard on the matter. Everything possible has to be done to stop anyone else suffering like I have.”