Expert Lawyers Investigating Holiday Illness After Former Steel Worker’s Death

The devastated widow of a former steel worker who died while on holiday in Cuba after contracting gastroenteritis has instructed expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his illness as she continues her battle for answers about her husband’s death.

Edward Jackson, known as Ted to his friends and family, died at the age of 63 on 2 February 2016 in a Cuban hospital after suffering serious gastric illness at the Playa Pesquero resort. His cause of death was recorded a hypovolemic shock, diarrhoea and acute infective gastroenteritis.

His devastated widow Susan, 61, who is registered blind and relied on Ted to care for her travelled with him to the Hotel Playa Pesquero at the end of January 2016.

She has now instructed expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support her and help investigate what caused her husband’s illness and to seek answers from tour operator Thomas Cook, who the couple booked the all-inclusive holiday with.

Susan, from Risca, Newport, told her legal team that she initially fell ill with symptoms of diarrhoea and stomach cramps during the first week of the two-week Cuban break. Shortly after, Ted began to suffer the same symptoms and was treated by the doctor at the hotel.

Ted’s symptoms worsened and he visited the resort doctor again, where he was placed on a drip and was given medication to reduce the pain he was suffering. Ted and Susan were transferred by ambulance to a local clinic, which Susan said was dilapidated and did not have the equipment needed to treat Ted properly.

Later that afternoon Ted was rushed to hospital in a second ambulance and he was given oxygen and placed on a drip. Ted’s symptoms continued to worsen and he was transferred to intensive care.

Susan was told he had suffered a heart attack and when she saw him he had tubes and wires all over his body.

In the early hours of the following day (2 February 2016) Susan was told Ted had suffered two further heart attacks and had passed away.

Clare Pearson, an expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Susan, said:

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“Clearly, the last few months have been absolutely devastating for Susan and her family who have lost a husband, father and grandfather. They are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Ted and are desperate to understand how he fell so ill resulting in his tragic death.

“Sadly, this case illustrates all too clearly the serious complications gastric illnesses can have for some victims, as well as their families and friends.

“Susan has informed us of a number of serious concerns both of them had about the standards of the hotel, which she believes caused Ted’s initial illness.

“We have launched our own investigations into this tragic loss of life and we hope the tour operator Thomas Cook will do everything they possibly can to provide answers to Susan’s questions as well as reassurance.” Clare Pearson - Legal Executive & Associate

Susan, a mother and grandmother said: “There really are no words for how upset and angry I am. It has been incredibly hard to come to terms with what happened and how quickly Ted deteriorated while we were on holiday and I am not sure this is something I will ever get over.

“Our whole family has been left absolutely heartbroken following Ted’s sudden death. Not only have I lost my husband of 41 years, I’ve been left without the person I have relied on every day to help me cope with my poor eyesight.

“I want to know how this came to happen and how what many people believe is a trivial illness had such an impact on Ted and the lives of me and my family. I want answers from Thomas Cook about the concerns I have with the hotel and also answers about the way holidaymakers are treated at hotels it sends its customers to.”

Susan told her legal team that during her holiday she noticed that food in the hotel was sometimes served lukewarm, she also recalled a time when Ted had told her that on one occasion kitchen staff handled raw and cooked meats without gloves on or washing their hands, that some of the food was left uncovered for long periods of time and that birds were seen in the area food was being served.

Irwin Mitchell has launched a holiday guide here for travellers, complete with information on how to stay safe on holiday this summer.