Holidaymaker Continues To Suffer Months After Stay at the Catalonia Royal Bavaro Hotel

A holidaymaker who was hospitalised after suffering serious gastric illness during a stay at a Dominican Republic holiday resort in June 2016, booked with Thomson Holidays has called on specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain answers regarding the ordeal.

Timothy Atkins, 46, from Sheringham, Norfolk, has revealed how he became so ill that he needed an IV drip which essentially confined him to his hotel room for four days of his 14-day stay at the Catalonia Royal Bavaro hotel in Punta Cana.

With symptoms continuing to affect his daily life nearly nine months on from the holiday, he has now instructed Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team to investigate his illness in an attempt to gain answers regarding what happened during the holiday. 

The specialist lawyers have vast experience representing thousands of people affected by illness outbreaks at holiday resorts across the world and are continuing to act for several people affected by problems at Catalonia Royal Bavaro in November 2015.

Amandeep Samra, a legal expert at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Timothy, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Our client’s case is another terrible example of the huge impact that gastric illness can have on people, often leaving them with ongoing symptoms which can affect them for a significant amount of time.

“The seriousness of this issue should not be underestimated and we have already commenced investigations into the issues Timothy faced. As part of our enquiries, we would be keen to hear anyone else who may have fallen ill across a similar time period.” Amandeep Singh Samra - Associate Solicitor

Timothy fell ill with serious gastric illness symptoms just four days into his stay at the Catalonia Royal Bavaro in June 2016.

He recalls: “The illness really knocked me for six and after seeking advice I was admitted to a local hospital for 2 days and put on an IV drip. The Hospital doctors also suggested I shouldn’t get too much sun or even use the swimming pool or the sea.

“This essentially meant that all I could do was sit in my room most of the time. When you pay money for a luxury holiday you simply do not expect this to happen to you – it was awful.”

To make matters worse, Timothy has continued to suffer symptoms following his return to the UK.

He added: “Looking back I recall on one occasion seeing chefs in the resort’s Japanese restaurant using the same utensils for raw meat and vegetables. I also noticed that occasionally new cooked food was simply poured over existing food in the serving containers.

“On top of the illness the air conditioning didn’t work in our first room so I was moved and I was also woken up by noise from other guests one night too. It just wasn’t what I hoped for and I want answers regarding what I have faced.”

If you have been on holiday to the Catalonia Royal Bavaro hotel in Punta Cana and have information which could help Timothy’s legal team with their investigation, please contact Georgina Southwood on 0370 1500 100 or email Georgina.Southwood@IrwinMitchell.com.