Family Raise Numerous Concerns With Lawyers, Including Poo In The Pool And Undercooked Chicken Being Served

A woman who tested positive for salmonella following her stay at a four-star all-inclusive resort in Turkey has instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers to investigate how she and her family came to fall ill at the hotel.

Mary Tweed, 49 from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, developed severe gastric illness symptoms while on holiday with her husband Paul, 47, and son Ryan, 15, at the Pegasos Royal Hotel, Antalya, Turkey, who also suffered gastric illness.

The family booked their holiday through Thomson and flew out to the resort on 24th June this year for what they intended to be a relaxing holiday, after Paul had undergone surgery.

The holiday unfortunately turned into a nightmare as the family began to suffer from gastric illness symptoms. On arrival back in the UK, Mary visited her GP and, after undergoing tests, she was diagnosed with salmonella.

The family have now instructed specialist lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s international personal injury team to investigate the illnesses that the family suffered.

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. The team at Irwin Mitchell have particular experience in claims against this hotel, as they act for six holidaymakers who stayed at the resort last year.

Jennifer Mullins, a solicitor and international personal injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mary, Paul and Ryan were understandably upset by their experience and the illnesses they contracted and endured during what was meant to be a relaxing holiday to help Paul rest following his operation.

“Sadly, through our work we have seen numerous cases against this hotel where guests have fallen ill suffering from gastric illness problems.

“The seriousness of these kinds of issues should never be underestimated and we are determined to help our clients, not only secure justice, but also answers regarding what caused the family to fall ill.

“We have already begun our own investigation into the holiday and are keen to determine what caused Mary and her family to fall ill. As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Pegasos Royal Hotel, Turkey.” Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Mary, a housewife, told her legal team the numerous concerns she and Paul held over the food hygiene standards at the resort, which houses a number of bars and restaurants.

These include at times chicken being served undercooked and pink in the middle, fried eggs also being served undercooked, and on occasions food being left uncovered with flies landing on or around the food.

Mary, who has been married to Paul for 26 years, said: “We had visited the hotel twice last year so we felt comfortable going back there and we never expected any of us would fall ill like we did. 

“During our stay we had spotted a few concerning issues like food sometimes being served undercooked and lukewarm. But seeing poo in the pool and cockroaches in the hotel bar was completely unexpected and very worrying.

“We spoke with other guests who were suffering similar symptoms to us, and even some of the waiters said they themselves had been ill and vomiting but they were still expected to work. 

“This was supposed to be a relaxing and peaceful holiday for us to help Paul in his recovery, but now it will only be memorable for all of the wrong reasons. We feel we deserve answers about what happened and what caused us all to fall ill.”

If you've suffered food poisoning on holiday, our personal injury solicitors could help you claim compensation. Visit our Holiday Food Poisoning Claims page for more information.