Family Of Washington Woman Seek Answers Regarding Shocking Illness Problems

The family of a British holidaymaker who was treated in intensive care for Legionnaires’ disease shortly after returning from a Turkish holiday have called on lawyers to help them secure vital answers regarding how the devastating illness emerged.

Shirley Errington, 80, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, initially started to feel unwell on the flight home from her week-long stay at the Papillon Ayscha hotel in Belek with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Brian.

However, the symptoms progressed significantly across the following days and Shirley was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital via an ambulance after Julie found her in a semi-conscious state at home on 16 October last year. She was admitted to intensive care support and placed on a ventilator for several days.

Tests subsequently confirmed that Shirley, a mum of two and grandmother of two, was suffering from Legionnaires’ disease.  Public Health England informed her family that it may have been linked to a shower in the room where she stayed on holiday.

Even now, Shirley has not made a complete recovery.  She continues to complain of breathlessness and being tired, and her confidence has been affected.

Shirley and her family have now instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team to investigate the problems and help them gain answers regarding what they have been through.

The legal experts have vast experience of supporting people affected by a range of illnesses across the globe, including a huge number who have suffered as a result of Legionnaires’ issues both in the UK and beyond.

Expert Opinion

“This is an incredibly worrying case which puts a major spotlight on the devastating impact that Legionnaires’ disease can have.

Through our work, we have been involved in numerous cases related to this illness and seen first-hand how it can have significant consequences on those affected by it. As such, we are determined to thoroughly investigate what Shirley has been through and aim to help her gain important answers regarding it too.

While our fundamental objective is to support Shirley in any way we can, we also hope that our efforts will ensure that lessons can be learned so such issues are never seen again.

We would be interested in speaking to any other guests who have stayed at this hotel over the last few months to provide us with further information and eye-witness accounts of the issues reported at the hotel in order to assist us with our investigations.”
Clare Pearson - Legal Executive & Associate

Shirley’s all-inclusive holiday with Julie and Brian at Papillon Ayscha, which was booked through Jet2, began on 3 October 2019 and ran until 10 October, 2019.

Her daughter Julie recalled: “I remember Mum was complaining of chest pains and feeling unwell on the flight back to the UK and I could see myself that she was a little off-colour. However, nothing had prepared me for how she was going to be just a few days later.

“I went around to see her and she had collapsed at home. The paramedics with the ambulance even went so far as to say she may have been in that position for 12 hours. It was horrendous and it is difficult thinking back to her being in intensive care. I was just so worried that we might lose her.”

Shirley was discharged from hospital on 4 November. However, ongoing issues meant she had to live with Julie and Brian for over two months and has only recently been able to return home.

Julie said: “Mum was previously very active and independent. She would drive, lived on her own and was often out and about. Initially after the illness, she was breathless, more forgetful and also disorientated and even now I can see a change in her since the holiday.

“She has had flashbacks to being in hospital, has really struggled with fatigue and has needed me to provide support with her medication. We have arranged for a downstairs toilet and walk-in shower fitted at her house so things are easier for her.

“It has just been awful seeing how the illness has her affected her and I never thought for a second that something like this would happen after a holiday. We simply want more answers regarding how this happened and what is being done to prevent it from occurring again. Lessons must be learned from this.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling holiday illness cases