Woman And Toddler Suffered Gastric Symptoms During Trip To Punta Cana

A mum from Devon has instructed lawyers to investigate after she and her three-year-old daughter fell ill during a holiday to the Catalonia Bavaro hotel in the Dominican Republic.

Jade Penney, 32, from Cullompton, travelled to the five-star resort in Punta Cana in May this year with her husband, Ross 41, daughter Willa, three, and son, Sully, seven.  The two-week trip was booked through tour operator TUI UK Ltd.

During the holiday, Jade and Willa became unwell with gastric symptoms.  Willa was admitted to hospital abroad and prescribed IV antibiotics.  She continued to suffer symptoms after returning home, and Jade has now instructed international serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how they fell ill.

Expert Opinion

“Jade, Willa and their family were really looking forward to their holiday and had been saving up for a long time so they could enjoy the Dominican Republic.

However, the whole trip was ruined when both Jade and Willa were struck down with illness. Gastric symptoms can be long-lasting, the effects of which should never be downplayed, and Jade understandably has questions over what led to them becoming unwell.

We’re now investigating and if any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to help prevent others from falling ill in the future.”
Jatinder Paul, International Serious Injury Solicitor

Customer service advisor Jade and Willa arrived at the Catalonia Bavaro hotel with Ross and Sully on 27 May.  By 2 June, Willa had begun vomiting and complaining of stomach pains.  Jade took her to see the on-site doctor who gave her anti-sickness medication.

On 7 June, Willa was taken back to the doctor as she wasn’t improving.  She was admitted to hospital where IV medication was administered and tests were carried out.  A stool sample was taken and tested positive for Entamoeba histolytica, a serious parasitic infection.

Willa remained on IV fluids and antibiotics for three days, before being discharged from hospital on 10 June.  The family returned to the UK the following day.

Meanwhile, Jade’s symptoms began on 7 June, with vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.  She told her legal team she “felt a lot better by the end of the holiday”, but Willa remained unwell until 18 July.  During that time, she also lost weight.

Jade said: “We were all so excited to be going away as a family to the Dominican Republic and couldn’t wait to get there.

“But the hotel was nothing short of underwhelming.  I recall there were bugs in the buffet serving trays, and the food was left uncovered, lukewarm and appeared to sit for a while.  There were also a lot of birds about the restaurant.

“Willa and I spent a lot of the trip unwell.  In particular, Willa had to be hospitalised, which was the most awful thing.  She’s our little girl and to see her so ill was heart-breaking.

“It took more than a month for Willa to recover, and while I’m grateful we’re both feeling better, I have so many questions over how we developed illness in the first place.  We wouldn’t want it happening to anyone else.”

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