Holidaymakers From Huddersfield, Bristol And Hampshire Instructed Lawyers To Recover Compensation

Several families whose holidays to a popular Egyptian resort were ruined by illness have spoken out after lawyers secured them almost £60,000 in compensation.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Serious Injury team represented 17 people who developed severe gastric illness symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pains and headaches, while staying at the Jaz Aquamarine resort in Hurghada, Egypt, between July and August 2017.

The problems proved so severe that a number of them sought medical attention abroad, while others saw their GPs on their return to the UK. Some individuals have even been left with significant and lasting health issues because of the experience.

Now, families from Huddersfield, Bristol and Liphook, Hampshire, are speaking out. It comes after expert international serious injury and public health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell secured settlements in connection with their illnesses from tour operator TUI. The national law firm has vast experience in handling such cases and have successfully represented holidaymakers affected by similar issues at this hotel, the Jaz Aquamarine, in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Expert Opinion

“The first-hand accounts we’ve heard from families about how their holidays were ruined highlight the significant and lasting impact that gastric illnesses can have.

“These families saw their precious time abroad turned upside down by these problems, while some are continuing to suffer with ongoing issues as well.

“While nothing will change what has happened, we’re pleased to have secured these holidaymakers the compensation they deserve albeit without any admission of liability from TUI.

“It’s also vital that, where possible, lessons are learned from these types of cases so others don’t suffer similar issues in the future.

“The health and safety of holidaymakers should always come first at resorts.” Hannah Clifford - Solicitor

CASE STUDIES

Huddersfield

Irwin Mitchell’s clients include Donna Chatfield, 40, from Huddersfield, who fell ill during a two-week break at Jaz Aquamarine with her partner and daughter in August 2017.

Donna, from Huddersfield, suffered symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pains, headaches and a fever during the holiday. She sought medical attention both abroad and in the UK. She has subsequently been diagnosed with post-infective irritable bowel syndrome.

The probation services officer said: “The illness was just horrific. We even tried to get an earlier flight home as we felt so unwell, but this was not permitted.

“This was the first time we had been this far abroad on holiday as a family, but it was just a nightmare. We spent most of our time in the room and didn’t get to enjoy the experience at all.

“Holidays are what I go to work for and this is the only one I’ve ever wanted to come home from. It was awful and I wouldn’t wish our experience on my worst enemy.”

Bristol

Another of Irwin Mitchell’s clients is software developer David Long, 40, from Bristol. He stayed at Jaz Aquamarine in August 2017 with his children Esme, five, and Jacob, nine. All three of them developed illness symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pains, and they all received medical attention abroad.

David, a software engineer, from Bristol, said: “It was an incredibly stressful time. While being ill was awful, it was particularly hard to see how it affected the kids.

“I’d been working away from home all year and wanted to make some real memories with my family, but the holiday proved to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

“It genuinely feels like I paid a lot of money and then fell ill and that does not seem right. We got zero enjoyment from the holiday. We know nothing can make up for what happened to us but I want to ensure this will not happen to anyone else.”

Hampshire

Irwin Mitchell also represented the Mansbridge family from Liphook in Hampshire regarding the problems at Jaz Aquamarine in 2017. Katie Mansbridge, 46, stayed at the site with her husband Kurt, 53, and their children Callum, 17, and Joshua, 21. Their break began on 24 July and came to an end on 8 August.

All of them developed symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pains. Katie is continuing to suffer the after-effects of the illness several years on.

Katie, who works as an office manager, said: “We complained to staff at the resort a lot, but always felt they were just unhelpful. It even got to the point where we were trying to avoid getting ill. We booked restaurants instead of using buffets and went to the beach due to our concerns about the hotel pool.

“The illness was awful and it completely ruined the whole holiday. No family should have to face what we did and it is vital that lessons are learned from our experiences.”