10.03.2016

Irwin Mitchell Instructed To Investigate Illness After Multiple Guests Complain About Hygiene Issues

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing a group of upset and angry holidaymakers after their trip to the Nubian Holiday Village in Egypt was ruined by serious illness.

The father of a family, John Stratton, was diagnosed with suspected Legionnaires’ disease after he was admitted to hospital when he returned to the UK.

John, 41, from Wisbech in Cambridge had planned a fun-filled trip abroad with his wife, Julie, 48, and their two young children Poppie and Maisie in October 2015.

Unfortunately, John fell ill towards the end of his first week away suffering from a lack of energy, muscle aches, difficulties with his breathing and gastric symptoms. 

To compound his frustrations, Julie and their 11-year-old daughter Maisie also started to feel unwell and like John were suffering with diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dizziness and lethargy.    

Before falling ill the family had complained about ‘an unclean swimming pool’ and ‘poor hygiene standards’ at the restaurant with some of the food being undercooked and flies on occasions swarming around the tables. 

When John returned to the UK he visited his GP who told him to go to hospital due to the severity of his condition. He was kept in for four days and after further tests it was confirmed that John was suffering from suspected Legionnaires’ disease. 

He has now instructed specialist travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate what caused him, his partner and his daughter to fall ill following their stay at the hotel. The travel illness experts have also been contacted by other holidaymakers who stayed at the resort.

Christopher Woods, 56, from Long Eaton in Nottingham stayed at the four-star resort with the Stratton family in early October 2015, joining them a few days later and also experienced illness problem he believes were caused by poor hygiene standards.

He complained to staff about how the food was served and the lack of cleanliness around the hotel. 

Christopher began feeling unwell towards the end of his trip suffering from diarrhoea, lethargy and stomach pains. 

Mr Woods and the Stratton family went on holiday via TUI UK Limited T/A Thomson Holidays and have now instructed International Personal Injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illness.

Jayne Murphy, a specialist International Personal Injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell said: “It’s concerning to hear that a number of people, including young children, have had their holiday’s ruined after falling ill. 

“Our priority is now to investigate what caused the Stratton family and Christopher to fall so ill.  

“Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious condition, which can lead to further complications, and can in some cases even be fatal.

“It’s important that a thorough investigation takes place. If anyone else has stayed at the hotel recently and could assist with our enquiries we would welcome hearing from you.“

John had to take time off from his job as a company director while he recovered from his illness and is now searching for answers as to why his holiday was ruined. 

He said: “The excitement of a special family holiday together soon ended when we saw the conditions at what was supposed to be a four-star hotel in Egypt. 

“The food in the restaurant was very repetitive, often dry and served at the wrong temperature. The pool areas were filthy and weren’t cleaned properly, even after a child had an accident in the baby pool.

“A lovely, stress-free holiday was the plan; instead I ended up in hospital with Legionnaires’ disease with my family also suffering both abroad and then back at home.

“This isn’t acceptable and I’m hoping for some answers as to what caused me and my family to fall so ill.”