Lawyers Head To Court Regarding Issues At Dom Rep Hotel

A group of holidaymakers whose two-week stay at the Dreams Resort and Spa in the Dominican Republic was ruined by illness problems have revealed how they hope an upcoming trial in relation to the ordeal will finally bring their long wait for justice to an end.

Ten holidaymakers travelled to the four-star resort in September 2012 for a break booked as part of wedding anniversary celebrations, but they were left devastated when nine of them developed severe gastric illness symptoms including diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

Among those affected were Whitley Bay fireman Dirk Ord and his son Owen, with the latter’s problems proving so severe that he required treatment at a local hospital during the holiday and still continues to suffer the effects of the illness today.

Following the ordeal, the group instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team to investigate what they faced and, following tour operator TUI UK Ltd T/A First Choice’s denial of liability in relation to the problems, the legal experts are preparing to go to trial with a hearing listed for November 28th at Birmingham County Court.

Jennifer Downing, the specialist illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing the group, said: 

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“This is a terrible case in which a special luxury break was ruined by very serious illness problems.

“Disappointingly, our clients have endured a long battle for justice, with TUI UK Ltd T/A First Choice refusing to admit liability or work with us to ensure they get the answers and support they deserve in relation to their illness and issues they encountered in resort.

“We are hopeful that the upcoming trial will finally provide justice and closure for our clients.” Jennifer Downing - Solicitor

Dirk Ord, 56, fell ill nine days into the stay at the Dreams Resort but was left particularly devastated when his son Owen, then aged six, also developed the problems.

He said: “The illness really knocked us for six and Owen was in such a bad way that we had no option but to get him to a hospital for treatment. It was a horrible experience to go through and we could not believe that it had happened.

“We are so frustrated that five years on Owen is still affected by the issues and we just feel we deserve some answers in relation to how this emerged.

“It has been a long wait but we hope that we will finally get the justice we deserve at the upcoming trial.” 

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