The owner of a fencing business has been prosecuted after a member of the public was injured at the company’s premises.
Incident
George Hallas was visiting Acorn Fencing in Whittington Hill to buy fencing materials. Chesterfield Justice Centre heard how Mr Hallas was moving the materials when an Acorn employee driving a fork lift truck reversed into him.
Injuries
As a result of the incident, Mr Hallas sustained fractures to his ankles, feet and legs.
HSE investigation
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the incident and found the owner of Acorn Fencing to be at fault for the accident. Michael James Bend had failed to put a safe system of work in place which adequately segregated vehicles and pedestrians.
Sentencing and fines
Michael James Bend, of Tapton View Road, Chesterfield pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The business owner was fined £3,032 and ordered to pay costs of £1,627.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Martin Waring said:
“This incident could have been prevented had Mr Bend implemented a safe system of work and properly informed his employees.”
Personal injury claims – expert advice
If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Hampson Hughes Solicitors could help you to secure maximum personal injury compensation. If you would like advice on making a claim, call us today on 0800 888 6888 or email .
A company owner and building contractor based in Manchester have been fined after a worker was seriously injured in an accident at work.
Accident at work
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how two men working for Access Flooring Specialist Ltd were using a demolition hammer to knock down a freestanding concrete block wall at the site of a refurbishment project at Manchester One, Portland Street, Manchester.
One of the operatives was cutting into the wall just above the half way point when the second worker took over, using a step ladder for access. As the second man took over, the top half of the wall collapsed, knocking him from the ladder before landing on top of him.
Workplace injuries
The 53-year-old father of two from Salford suffered fractures to his neck and back and spent three months in hospital following the accident at work. He has not been able return to work since the incident on 29 August 2014.
Health and Safety Investigation
An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that workers had not been provided with instructions for carrying out the work in a safe manner. It was also found that there had been no supervision or checks during the injured worker’s training and he had not been given a site induction, nor was the work supervised.
Furthermore, the HSE investigation found that there was no adequate risk assessment in place for the work being carried out.
Sentencing and fines
Workspace Design and Build Ltd of Manchester One, Portland Street, Manchester pleaded guilty to breach of Regulation 22(1)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The company was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,972.
Paul Harrison of Kirkfell Drive, Tyldsley, Manchester pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 37 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 relating to his companies’ breach of Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The former director of Access Flooring Specialist Ltd was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,851.
HSE Inspector Laura Moran said after the hearing:
“The risks associated with the demolition of the internal walls at Manchester One were not properly considered and, as a result, there was no safe system of work in place for the operatives to follow.
“Together with a lack of adequate supervision, these failings resulted in one man suffering serious and life changing injuries, which could have been prevented had the work been properly planned and managed.”
Accident at work compensation – expert advice
Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.
To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Stanley Birch was on a luxury holiday with his parents at a five star resort in Bodrum, Turkey when the holiday injury took place in 2014.
Holiday injury
Stanley was lying on a sunbed when a heavy speaker fell off a nearby balcony, falling 15 meters before landing on the two year old’s head. His parent’s feared he may be dead, as he lay motionless in a pool of blood by the pool.
A doctor staying at the hotel, the Yasmin Resort in Turgutreis, picked him up and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Staff at the Bodrum Hospital operated on Stanley for over three hours.
Severe brain damage
The two year old was left with severe brain damage after surgeons found an epidural haematoma and were required to drain excess blood off his brain. Stanley also needed 20 staples to his head and ten stiches to his face following the incident.
Now six, Stanley’s development has been affected and his parent’s say he suffers with behavioural issues as a result of his injuries. He has to attend regular monthly check ups and his brain development is closely monitored.
Holiday injury compensation from TUI
Stanley and his family are potentially now looking at a potential payout of hundreds of thousands of pounds in personal injury compensation from holiday tour operator, TUI.
Stanley’s mother, Amy, said:
‘It was horrible.
‘Stanley had just woken up, and we were by the pool a few metres from him. Then I heard this bang and everyone was screaming.
‘I turned round and saw him lying still. He was off the sun lounger, which was completely smashed. I thought he was dead.
‘He wasn’t crying, I knew something was wrong because I knew he should be crying.
‘The ambulance came and he was in and out of consciousness when they got him to the hospital.
‘He was in there for three hours where they discovered he had suffered a tear to his main artery.’
His father, Mitchell, added:
‘He is happy and doing well, and we are lucky he is alive. But no-one knows for sure if he will develop 100 percent as he should have.
‘It is very stressful thinking how what happened on that day could still change his life now.’
Thomson accepted liability last year, but it is unlikely Stanley will receive any compensation until he is at least 18. This is because professionals won’t know exactly what effect his injuries will have until he comes to key moments in his life, such as school and exams.
TUI’s response
A spokeswoman for Thomson and First Choice said:
‘We can confirm that an incident took place at the Yasmin Resort in Bodrum on 12th June 2014 and as a result a child was taken to hospital.
‘Our resort team offered every possible support and assistance at the time of and in the aftermath of the incident, conducting a full investigation to understand what happened.
‘Our Welfare Team based in the UK were also in direct contact with the customers and continued to offer the necessary support.
‘As this case is now subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
Holiday injury claims – expert advice
Holiday injury compensation may be available where your non-fault injury is the result of professional negligence at any stage of your package holiday. This also includes negligence on behalf of service providers working in conjunction with your tour operator.
If you believe that your tour operator could have taken reasonable steps towards preventing your injury, contact us today on 0800 888 6888 or email . Hampson Hughes Solicitors’ dedicated team of holiday injury solicitors could help you to secure maximum personal injury compensation.
A woman from Oldham has received over £4,000 in holiday illness compensation after she contracted Salmonella while in Cuba.
Holiday illness – Salmonella
Deborah Beswick and her husband travelled to the 4* Tryp Cayo Coco resort in Cuba for a two week holiday in September 2015. However after just a week at the resort, Mrs Beswick was struck with severe holiday illness. Her symptoms included vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
Upon the couple’s return to the UK, Mrs Beswick’s holiday illness symptoms worsened. She attended an out-of-hours GP at Manchester Royal Hospital, as well as visiting her own GP, where tests revealed that she had contracted Salmonella food poisoning. Doctor’s warned Mrs Beswick that her symptoms are not due to subside until July 2017, meaning that her ‘holiday illness’ will have lasted a total of 22 months.
‘Alarming’ food and hygiene standards
Mrs Beswick avers that her holiday illness symptoms were a direct result of the ‘alarming’ food and hygiene standards and practises she witnessed at the Tryp Cayo Coco.
According to Mrs Beswick, during her stay at the 4* resort she witnessed:
• Food was left uncovered and exposed to flies
• Birds flying around the buffet restaurant
• Food that appeared to have been reheated
• Food that was reused for several meals throughout the day
• Food that was left for prolonged periods of time at room temperature
Payout
After seeking legal advice, Mrs Beswick was awarded a total of £4,700 in holiday illness compensation from tour operator Thomas Cook.
If you believe that your holiday sickness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
•Note all important dates
•Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
•Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
Whatever your experience with holiday illness, we may be able to help. Call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for a FREE no-obligation consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
For further information on holiday illness compensation, please see our ‘Package Holiday Claims’ page.
Our team of Travel Law solicitors recently secured compensation for a client whose stay at the Rui Palace in Gran Canaria was ruined by holiday illness.
Holiday illness
Unfortunately, just three days into their all-inclusive package holiday, the claimant began to feel unwell. They suffered symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting, along with nausea and fatigue. In total, our client’s symptoms lasted three weeks.
Hotel restaurant
According to the claimant, food and hygiene standards at the hotel were very poor.
Our client reports that meat and fish served in the hotel restaurant was served under-cooked and at the incorrect temperature, as well as appearing reheated. The buffet style food available was left out, often uncovered, for long periods of time and without suitable refrigeration. Drinks appeared watered down, and the claimant believes ice in drinks was made using local tap water.
Our client also asserts that the overall choice and quality of the food was of a very poor standard and that the bar and eating areas were often infested with flies and insects. They added that during their stay at the Rui Palace they did not witness kitchen or restaurant staff wearing gloves when handling food.
The claimant avers that their illness was caused by the poor levels of food and hygiene within the hotel, particularly the hotel restaurant.
Outcome
Our expert Travel Law team managed to secure a total of £2,200 in compensation for our client on this occasion.
Holiday illness claims – expert advice
If you believe that your holiday illness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
•Note all important dates
•Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
•Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
Whatever your experience with holiday illness, we may be able to help. Call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for a FREE no-obligation consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
For further information on holiday illness compensation, please see our Package Holiday Claims page.
The travel law team here at Hampson Hughes Solicitors were recently instructed by a client whose dream getaway to Mexico was plagued by holiday illness.
Our client booked a week long stay at the 3* Riu Yucatan hotel in the Playa del Carmen resort of Mexico in January 2016. The holiday was booked as an all-inclusive package deal with tour operators TUI.
Poor food & hygiene standards
Upon the Claimant’s immediate arrival at the hotel there was strong smell of sewage, both in the hotel itself and the surrounding areas.
They also report that throughout their stay at the Riu Yucatan hotel, they noticed a number of issues relating to poor food and hygiene practices, particularly with regards to the buffet style food service available. Our client reports:
• Food was left uncovered for extended periods of time
• Food appeared reheated and was served at incorrect temperatures
• Staff members handling food did not appear to wear gloves when doing so
According to the claimant most dishes served in the restaurant were covered in a thick sauce and so it was difficult to know if they contained meat, and, if so, if the meat was cooked correctly. At one evening meal our client was about to tuck into a dish when they realised that it contained raw meat.
Holiday illness
On the final day of their holiday, our client began to suffer from symptoms related to food poisoning. Their symptoms included abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and fatigue, as well as diarrhoea containing blood.
The claimant self medicated while abroad with Imodium and pain killers purchased from a local pharmacy. Upon their return to the UK, our client reports having to visit his GP on more than one occasion due to their holiday illness. They also claim that a year on from their trip to Mexico, their health has not returned to how it was prior to the holiday.
Successful outcome
Liability was admitted by TUI and an out of court settlement was agreed on.
Our expert Travel Law solicitors managed to secure a total of £1,900 in holiday illness compensation for the Claimant on this occasion.
Holiday illness claims – expert advice
If you believe that your holiday illness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
• Note all important dates
• Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
• Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
For further information on holiday sickness compensation, please take a look at our ‘Package Holiday Claims’ page.
Call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for FREE legal advice. Whatever your experience with holiday sickness, we may be able to help. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Hampson Hughes Solicitors, a law firm which specialises in holiday illness claims, has revealed the countries where British holidaymakers are falling ill.
The research, based on a sample of 567 holiday illness claims from the past year, highlights the countries where claimants became sick.
Hampson Hughes Solicitors’ Top Holiday Illness Hotspots
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Based on a sample of 567 travel law claims received by Hampson Hughes Solicitors from December 2015 – December 2016
Spain is Holiday Illness Claims Hotspot According to Hampson Hughes Solicitors
Claims from tourists who have contracted holiday illness while in Spain* account for around a quarter of all holiday illness claims dealt with by Hampson Hughes Solicitors (24.9% in total). From 2015 to 2016, the Liverpool based law firm sought compensation for 141 people who had fallen ill due to poor food hygiene standards at their Spanish hotel. *Including Canary & Balearic Islands
Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, Head of Holiday Illness Claims at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, said:
“I am alarmed by the increasing reports of holidaymakers being exposed to poor hygiene conditions while being placed at hotels in Spain.
“The well-being of holidaymakers should be of paramount concern to holiday tour operators but unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case.
“Annual holidays are a British institution. We work all year, save up and look forward to a break away in the sun to put our feet up, relax and spend time with our loved ones. But tour operators and hotel providers are constantly cutting corners in regards to basic hygiene and sanitation standards. This is causing tourists to become ill.”
Hampson Hughes Solicitors’ Holiday Illness Top Tips
Following the release of its Holiday Illness Report Hampson Hughes Solicitors is providing holidaymakers with useful advice should they fall victim to holiday illness.
What to do if you fall victim to illness on holiday
Where possible, Hampson Hughes Solicitors advise gathering evidence whilst in resort to in support of your claim.
• Take photos or videos of poor hygiene and food standards and illness/injury
• Report any issues regarding hygiene and food standards to your holiday representative and hotel
• Report any issues regarding illness or injury to your holiday representative and hotel
• Ask for your complaint to be noted and request a copy of the complaint
• Keep details of who you have lodged your complaint with
Do not let the tour operator under-value your claim
If a tour operator believes you have a valid claim, they may attempt to offer you vouchers as compensation.
Illness and injury on holiday may result in significant and on-going medical problems. A holiday voucher will not provide sufficient compensation for the illness suffered and the negative effect an illness may have on your holiday experience.
Hampson Hughes Solicitors advises against accepting any form of compensation from the tour operator. This will prevent you from making a claim in the future.
Expert legal advice from Hampson Hughes Solicitors
If you have been affected by holiday illness you could be entitled to compensation. Start your claim today by filling out our short contact form here. Hampson Hughes Solicitors offer a FREE no-obligation consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Our expert Holiday Illness team recently took instruction for a client after their luxury Christmas holiday to Mexico was ruined by food poisoning.
The Claimant booked a two week holiday at the Riu Palace Peninsula Hotel in Mexico back in December 2013. The holiday was booked as an all-inclusive package deal with popular tour operator TUI.
Smell of sewage around hotel
According to our client, upon arrival at the hotel it was apparent that hygiene standards at the hotel were not to an acceptable standard.
Our client reports a strong smell of sewage around the hotel grounds and claims that the bathroom in their hotel room was dirty and in a poor state of repair. The Claimant added that water from the taps was green in colour and had a sewage type smell coming from them.
Poor food hygiene in hotel restaurant
The Claimant similarly reports that food hygiene standards and practices at the hotel restaurant were also very poor. According to our client, hot food was often added to trays of cooler food of the same type and certain dishes appeared to be reheated. They added that restaurant staff did not appear to monitor the temperature of the food at any time.
The Claimant reports that restaurant staff did not wear gloves when handling food. Food was also left uncovered for prolonged periods of time, exposed to the wild birds seen around the eating areas. Furthermore, the drinks served appeared to be watered down and contained ice which was believed to have been made with local tap water.
Christmas ruined
Unfortunately on Christmas Day, around a week into the holiday, our client began to feel unwell. They suffered with various symptoms associated with food poisoning, including:
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Fatigue
• Nausea
Prior to experiencing their symptoms, our client had not eaten or drank anywhere else other than at the various restaurants within the hotel complex. With this in mind, along with the extremely poor food and hygiene standards at the Rui Palace Peninsula, our client avers their symptoms were a result of eating the food at the hotel.
The Claimant reports that TUI’s holiday representative at the Rui Palace Peninsula was only available in the mornings. As a result, they self-medicated with Imodium and other medication purchased from a local pharmacy.
Outcome
Liability was admitted by TUI and an out of court settlement was agreed on.
On this occasion, Hampson Hughes Solicitors’ Travel Law team secured a total of £2,000 in Holiday Illness Compensation for our client.
Commenting on their experience with Hampson Hughes, the Claimant added:
“Hampson Hughes solicitors were helpful & friendly throughout my claim process. They kept me fully informed at each stage. Thank you!”
Holiday illness claims – expert advice
If you believe that your holiday illness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
• Note all important dates
• Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
• Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
For further information on holiday sickness compensation, please take a look at our ‘Package Holiday Claims’ page.
Call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for FREE legal advice. Whatever your experience with holiday sickness, we may be able to help. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Our expert team of holiday illness solicitors were recently instructed by a client after their luxury all-inclusive holiday was ruined by poor food and hygiene standards.
Wayne Pickering booked a two week stay at 4* The Bahia Principe Hotel, based in the Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
Holiday illness symptoms
Unfortunately Mr Pickering began to feel unwell just a few days into the package holiday. He suffered with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fatigue, as well as a raised temperature.
Our client avers that his symptoms were a result of the poor food and hygiene standards he witnessed at the hotel.
Hotel restaurant
Mr Pickering reports that there was a number of issues relating to the hotel restaurant. According to the claimant:
• There was a buffet style food service available and the food served was often tepid in temperature
• Food was left uncovered
• The food was of poor quality
• Meat and fish products were served partially cooked
• Dishes appeared to have been reheated
• Hot food was often added to trays containing cooler food of the same type
• Members of the catering team did not appear to monitor food temperature
Mr Pickering’s symptoms lasted a total of 20 days and as a result, he was unable to properly enjoy his time in the Dominican Republic. Day to day activities were restricted whilst on holiday and upon his return to the UK.
Hampson Hughes Solicitors managed to secure damages amounting to £1,780 on this occasion.
Holiday illness claims – expert advice
If you believe that your holiday illness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
• Note all important dates
• Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
• Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
For further information on holiday sickness compensation, please see our ‘Package Holiday Claims’ page.
To discover how much compensation you could be entitled to, call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for instant answers. Whatever your experience with holiday sickness, we may be able to help. We offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Our team of expert Travel Law solicitors were recently instructed by a client after their luxury holiday to the Dominican Republic was ruined by holiday illness.
Jula Shinks booked a two week stay at the 5* ClubHotel Riu Merengue, in the Dominican Republic in January 2016. The holiday was booked as an all-inclusive package deal through tour operator TUI UK.
Holiday illness symptoms
Unfortunately, just a few days into her luxury holiday Ms Jinks began to feel unwell. Our client suffered with various symptoms relating to food poisoning, including:
• Severe Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Raised Temperature
Poor food hygiene levels
As the holiday was all-inclusive, all meals and drinks throughout Ms Jinks’ holiday at the ClubHotel Riu Merengue were paid upon booking and provided by the hotel.
However, according to our Ms Jinks, the hygiene at the hotel was very poor, particularly in relation to the food. Our client reports:
• A buffet style food service that was often luke-warm in temperature
• Members of the catering team were not seen to be monitoring the temperature of the food
• Staff members were not wearing gloves when serving the food
• Food was left uncovered
• A high volume of flies and insects could be seen around the eating area
• The food was of poor quality
• The meat and fish products were served partially cooked
• The food appeared to be reheated
• Hot food was often added to trays of cooler food of the same type
• The crockery provided was dirty
• Drinks tasted as though they had been watered down
• It was suspected that ice served in drinks was made with local tap water
With the above factors in mind, Ms Jinks avers that her symptoms were directly caused by the poor levels of food hygiene standards at the 5* ClubHotel Riu Merengue.
Our team of dedicated solicitors secured a total of £2,150 in holiday illness compensation.
Ms Jinks commented following the outcome:
“Very efficient and approachable company. I was kept updated all throughout my claim.”
Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, Head of Travel Law here at Hampson Hughes added:
“These cases signify another triumph in the battle against the cost cutting exercises of tour operators. It is simply not acceptable to allow them to continue to take money from hard working holidaymakers and provide them with sub-standard hygiene practices in return.
“If you have been struck down by illness while on a package holiday, call us today for your free no obligation consultation.”
Holiday illness claims – expert advice
If you believe that your holiday illness symptoms are linked to poor hygiene standards within your package deal hotel, you may be entitled to holiday illness compensation. There are certain steps that you could take in support of your claim:
•Note all important dates
•Report any hygiene issues to your holiday rep
•Document any suspected poor hygiene (e.g. photo, video)
For further information on holiday illness compensation, please see our ‘Package Holiday Claims’ page.
To discover how much compensation you could be entitled to, call our expert team of travel law solicitors today for instant answers. Whatever your experience with holiday sickness, we may be able to help. We offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
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