Expert International Personal Injury Lawyers Investigating Severe Gastric Illness At Riu Bambu Resort

A number of holidaymakers who suffered severe gastric illness at the Riu Bambu resort in the Dominican Republic have instructed expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the illness they suffered.

One holidaymaker affected was David Fowell, 26, from Liverpool, who suffered diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps during his two-week holiday at the luxury five-star resort in late summer this year.

David travelled to the Dominican Republic on 28th August with his partner, Georgia Mooney. The couple booked the holiday to celebrate Georgia’s 24th birthday. The holiday was booked through TUI UK Limited, trading as First Choice. 
David continued to suffer with his symptoms when he returned to the UK, resulting in him missing three days from  work.

He is now part of a group of seven holidaymakers who have instructed expert International Personal Injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illnesses at the luxury resort in the Punta Cana area of the island.

The specialist travel lawyers, who are already acting for four separate  group actions against the hotel regarding holidays in Winter 2015, Spring 2016, Summer 2016 and Winter 2016, have now begun their own investigations into the reported problems at the Riu Bambu resort this summer. 

The legal experts have vast experience in holiday illness cases and have recovered millions of pounds in damages, having represented large group actions against Hotels and Cruise Lines, both in the UK and abroad.

Clare Comiskey, an expert International Personal Injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“The illnesses David and the rest of the holidaymakers have suffered during their holidays to the Dominican Republic have been extremely difficult for them to deal with.

“The symptoms continue to impact some of their lives, and they are understandably frustrated that the problems they suffered could be linked to the illness they developed at the Riu Bambu resort.

“The last thing David expected when he booked the holiday with Georgia was to be returning to the UK feeling worse than when he left. He has told us of a number of hygiene concerns he had about the resort and we have launched an investigation into the hygiene practices in place at the time of their stay.

“We would urge anyone else who suffered with illness or encountered similar problems during their stay at the resort to contact us as they may be able to help with our investigations.” Clare Comiskey - Legal Executive & Associate

David told his legal representative at Irwin Mitchell that he was occasionally served undercooked meat and further served foods that was often lukewarm or cold, when they should have been served hot. 

He also saw on occasion fresh food being placed on top of older food at the buffet, rather than older food first being removed. He also informed Irwin Mitchell that the buffet was uncovered and wasps and flies were seen in and around the food area.

David, who lives in Old Swan in Liverpool, said: “I was so disappointed and angry that our celebratory holiday was ruined because of my illness. We wanted to mark Georgia’s birthday with a relaxing dream holiday but it turned into a nightmare.

“We had noticed some issues at the resort which had concerned us, such as hygiene issues across the resort and food being lukewarm, so I was devastated when I fell ill.

“When you pay for a holiday like this you never expect something like this to happen and we just want to know why it did. We deserve answers after everything we have been through and also want to know that other people will not endure what we have faced.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in holiday illness claims.