Tag: vomiting

Holiday sickness hotspots

Holiday sickness is often viewed as an expected part of the jet set experience. The onset of holiday illness has become so widely accepted that UK holiday makers will frequently make light of the situation, referring to Delhi Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, or the Turkey Trots. But falling ill through the consumption of food and drink provided by your package deal hotel is no joke, and it should not happen. If you believe that your symptoms of holiday illness are linked to poor hygiene in your package deal resort, you could be entitled to holiday illness compensation.

Claims by country

The map shows the location of all holiday sickness claims accepted by Hampson Hughes Solicitors, shown as a percentage of the overall number of accepted claims.

[amcharts id=”travel-claims”]

Types of holiday sickness

In most cases, contracting a bacterial or viral infection will follow contact with food that has not been cooked thoroughly or food that has not been stored hygienically (i.e. food that has been left out in the open). There are many common types of illness associated with foreign travel, commonly referred to as ‘gastroenteritis’, a term which covers stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting. However, understanding your illness may help us to make an accurate claim for holiday sickness compensation.

Types of holiday sickness include:

Salmonella

Salmonella is a type of bacteria found in uncooked meats

  • Onset: 1-3 days
  • Typical Duration: 7 days
  • Symptoms: abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in untreated water

  • Onset: 2 – 10 days
  • Typical duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Symptoms: abdominal cramps, watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a type of bacteria found in food, water, and animals

  • Onset: 2- 5 days
  • Typical duration: 10 days
  • Symptoms: abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea

Shigella

Shigella is a type of bacteria found in food, water, and faeces

  • Onset: 1-4 days
  • Typical duration: 5-7 days
  • Symptoms: abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, rectal spasms

Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is a parasite found in soil or food contaminated with animal faeces

  • Onset: 1-2 weeks
  • Typical duration: 2-3 weeks
  • Symptoms: abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, fatigue

E Coli

E Coli is a type of bacteria found in raw foods and drinks contaminated with animal faeces

  • Onset: 1-4 days
  • Typical duration: 5-10 days
  • Symptoms: watery diarrhoea that becomes bloody, fever, chills, headaches

Holiday sickness 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, and 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

Woman Contracts Legionnaires’ Disease after Sardinia Holiday

A British woman is taking legal action against a travel company after she was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease following illness whilst on holiday in Sardinia.

58 year old Patricia Pybus, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, spent nine weeks in intensive care following her return to the UK after staying at the four-star Hotel Pulicinu last August.

Sunstroke symptoms

Less than a week into the luxury break with her husband, Mrs Pybus contracted what she thought was sunstroke. However, her condition soon deteriorated and she began to experience diarrhoea, headaches, nausea and stomach cramps. Mrs Pybus also developed chest pains and a persistent cough as the holiday continued, as well as feeling lethargic and feverish.

The holidaymaker, who booked the trip through Manchester-based Travel Counsellors, claims that their room at the hotel smelled stale and looked as though it had not been inhabited for weeks.

Mrs Pybus also claims that the air conditioning unit in her hotel room was constantly leaking water and covered in rust, and that the showers were old.

Nine weeks in ICU

Once the couple returned to the UK, Mrs Pybus went to Friarige Hospital in Northallerton and was admitted to an intensive care unit. It was there that doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, or Legionnaires’ disease.

Mrs Pybus spent nine weeks in total in the intensive care unit after being heavily sedated for the first fortnight and undergoing a tracheotomy.

Now back at home, Mrs Pybus claims she has difficulty simply walking upstairs as she suffers from shortness of breath, leaving her unable to work and having to depend on her husband for day to day tasks.

Mrs Pybus said:

“At first we just thought it was a simple case of sunstroke but it became clear very quickly that things were much worse than that.

“I have lost months of my life from being in intensive care, not to mention the distress and anxiety my family were put through, not knowing if I could ever come round from it.

“We have been to hell and back as a result of my illness and I want to do everything possible to prevent anyone else going through the same experience which we have been through.”

A spokesperson for Travel Counsellors released the following statement:

“This is an ongoing claim and so it is inappropriate to comment further at this time, but the health and welfare of our customers is of paramount importance to us and we work closely with our hotel suppliers to achieve the highest safety standards.”

Legionnaires’ disease

According to the NHS Choices website, ‘Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria’. Symptoms echo that of the flu, with sufferers experiencing muscle pain, headaches, tiredness, chills, fever and even changes to an individual’s mental state.

Legionella bacteria is usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water in rivers, lakes, ponds and even artificial water supply systems including air conditioning units. Once the lungs are infected with this bacteria, patients may suffer from symptoms of pneumonia, including shortness of breath and chest pains, as well as a persistent cough.

The NHS website goes on to say that symptoms usually take around six to seven days to symptoms to show, however this can vary by anything from two to nineteen days.

Holiday Illness Claims – Expert Advice

Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, Travel Law expert here at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, said:

“Reports of Mrs Pybus’s illness are alarming and cause for concern. It is vital that tour operators be held accountable for the failings basic hygiene standards of their hotel providers. If you have fallen victim to poor hygiene standards while on a package holiday, contact us today to find out whether you are eligible to claim.”

For more information as to whether or not you are able to claim compensation following illness whilst on an all-inclusive package holiday, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today for free and friendly, no obligation advice on 0800 888 6888 or email

Source: Mail Online; NHS Choices

Holiday Illness: Couple Demand Answers after Husband Contracts Sepsis

A man has been left unable to work again after contracting sepsis at a Mexican hotel on what was supposed to be a ‘dream holiday’.

Severe gastric illness

Clive Roberts, 62, ended up in intensive care after he and his wife Caroline returned from their holiday at the luxury Barceló Maya Tropical resort. On their first day back in the UK, Mr Roberts developed a severe gastric illness, suffering with symptoms such as vomiting, a fever and diarrhoea, whilst at his job as a scaffolder.

After a visit to his GP, Mr Roberts was advised to go straight to A&E as his symptoms were so severe. Upon his arrival at Worthing Hospital’s A&E, he was admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) where he was diagnosed with Sepsis and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is a severe and often life-threatening complication that occurs in about 10% of those infected with E.coli and can often lead to kidney failure.

The trip to Mexico was supposed to be a celebration of Mrs Roberts’ 60th birthday; however the couple now demand answers, after their luxury holiday ended in a stay in ICU. They have sought legal advice and are urging anyone suffering with similar symptoms after staying at the Barceló Maya Tropical resort.

Health & hygiene concerns

According to Mr Roberts, the couple have a number of concerns regarding the health and hygiene standards at the resort. They claim they often saw birds pecking at uncovered food in the hotel restaurants, as well as food that was supposed to be kept chilled being served at room temperature.

Mr Roberts said:

‘This was supposed to be an enjoyable holiday to celebrate Caroline’s 60th birthday in style.

‘The hotel really wasn’t up to the standards we had expected and we were left disappointed.

‘To fall seriously ill immediately after coming back to the UK and end up spending three weeks in hospital has meant the memories of Caroline’s 60th birthday have been ruined forever.

‘We want to know what caused me to fall so ill and that the hygiene concerns will be looked into, so that other people will not go through the ordeal we have endured.’

A spokesman for Barceloa has provided the following statement:

‘Mr and Mrs Roberts stayed at the Barcelo Maya Hotel in Mexico from March 3 to 17, 2015.

‘We read in the MailOnline that he was diagnosed with sepsis after he returned home to England.

‘We hope that he has made a full recovery. Mr and Mrs Roberts have not been in touch with the hotel since their stay in March 2015.

‘The hotel adheres to all health and safety inspections. We take the wellbeing of our guests extremely seriously and will conduct every necessary investigation.’

Holiday illness claims – expert advice

Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, Head of Travel Law here at Hampson Hughes Solicitors said:

‘Tour operators need to be held accountable for the failures of their hotels and resorts. Deficiencies in hygiene standards breed infection and cause outbreaks of illness causing symptoms of sickness, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and dehydration.

‘If you believe that you have contracted food poisoning whilst on a package holiday, contact our dedicated Travel Team today for your FREE no-obligation consultation. Whatever your circumstances, we may be able to help you to secure maximum personal injury compensation. For further information, please see our food poisoning abroad claims page.’

For more information as to whether or not you are able to claim compensation following illness whilst on an all-inclusive package holiday, contact Hampson Hughes today for free and friendly, no obligation advice on 0800 888 6 888 or email

Source: About-HUS; Mail Online

Teenager Receives 6 Figure Compensation Pay-out for Holiday Illness

Bradie Perkins was thirteen when he caught a potentially fatal illness whilst holidaying in Turkey with his family.

One of Twenty Seven

Bradie was one of twenty seven individuals who fell ill in October 2010 whilst staying at the Holiday Village in the Sarigerme area of Dalaman.

Due to what his family claim was poor food hygiene at the resort, the teenager had to be taken to hospital on two occasions after suffering from dehydration, severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

Bradie was diagnosed with a parasitic infection, giardiasis, as well as E.coli and a kidney condition, haemolytic uraemic syndrome. The latter has left the teenager with kidneys that only work at two thirds of their regular function.

Career Hopes Dashed

Before the trip to Turkey, Bradie had aspired to join the navy, however due to the kidney condition he contracted Bradie is unable to pursue his dream career. Now eighteen and studying for his A-levels, Bradie has told of how he was ‘devastated’ when he learnt that he cannot fulfil his dream of a naval career.

He went on to say:

“I’ll have to live with the effects of my illness forever and will always be watching what I eat or worrying about where to go on holiday.”

Undercooked & Uncovered Food

The Perkins family have claimed that they witnessed left over food being reused and simply ‘topped up’ the following day in the hotel restaurant, along with food sometimes being undercooked. They have also claimed that food at the resort was often left uncovered and so unprotected from the flies, insects and cats which frequented the restaurant.

Bradie said:

“I knew something was wrong when I became so tired and for the last few days of my holiday I felt like I spent more time in the hotel room than I did with my family actually enjoying myself.”

It has been reported that TUI UK Ltd, trading as First Choice, settled a number of weeks before a trial was due to begin. The full amount of the pay-out Bradie received was not disclosed.

Holiday Illness Claims – Expert Advice

Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, Travel Law expert here at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, said:

“Cases like these while alarming are unfortunately not uncommon. Poor practices of food and hygiene standards in resorts abroad are on the rise. If you believe that you have contracted food poisoning during a holiday, contact our dedicated Travel Team today for your FREE no-obligation consultation. Whatever your circumstances, we may be able to help you to secure maximum personal injury compensation. For further information, please see our food poisoning abroad claims page.”

For more information as to whether or not you are able to claim compensation following illness whilst on an all-inclusive package holiday, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today for free and friendly, no obligation advice on 0800 888 6888 or email [email protected]

Source: Sky.com

British Tourists Fall Ill Whilst Holidaying at Zante Hotel

Two British tourists were treated for a possible outbreak of E. coli after a severe stomach bug spread through the hotel they were staying at on the Greek island of Zante.

The pair had booked their holiday, a week’s stay at the 2* Savvas Hotel, through Thomas Cook Club 18-30. Upon arrival Becky Robson, 22, and Millie Schofield, 21, saw that their room was dirty; with stained bedding and vomit on the balcony walls. They claim that they could also audibly hear other guests being violently ill.

The two students became severely ill with vomiting and diarrhoea themselves, during and after their stay at the hotel. Becky was treated with anti-sickness injections, stomach settlers, anti-biotics to treat E. coli and put on an IV drip at Iassis Medical Centre.

Chronic sickness and diarrhoea

Becky has said of their experience:

‘On arrival the hotel smelt like sewage, it was nothing more than a glorified cow shed. When we walked into our room I was shocked it was dirty, the bedding and pillows had stains on, the towels smelt horrible and were not clean, even the balcony had sick on the walls.

‘Our room was bang next to the drainage system and a farm, it stunk. Not even 24 hours into our stay my friend fell ill with violent sickness and diarrhoea.

‘I demanded to the reps to move us as it wasn’t just my friend that was ill.

‘All you could hear in the hotel was people being sick, I think that’s why they blasted out loud music all the time to disguise what was going on.

‘I knew straight away I couldn’t stay there with everyone else already violently ill.

She added:

‘By the Saturday morning Millie was very ill and continued to be. By this point I had begged the reps for a flight home or to move hotels.

‘Up to 95 per cent of all other guests at the Savvas Hotel had the same thing.

‘We were finally moved to a different hotel on the Saturday evening but by this point I started with the illness. I had chronic sickness and diarrhoea. We had just got to the new hotel when I fell chronically ill.

‘Whilst in hospital there were so many people from Savvas Hotel with the same illness, the staff didn’t even have to ask where they were staying in the end. I was the most ill I have ever been in my life and became severely dehydrated.

‘The drugs prescribed to me at the Greek hospital were specifically to treat E.coli, nothing else. I have blood tests that show a gastric infection.

Complaint & Response

Since arriving back in the UK, the pair have complained to Thomas Cook, however according to Becky, the firm have denied any allegations that Savvas Hotel was the cause of their illness. Thomas Cook has released the following statement:

‘Club 18-30 routinely undertakes independent third-party audits of all its hotels. We can confirm that there were reports of gastric illness in the resort of Laganas last August, which was believed to have been of a viral nature.

‘The Hotel Savaas management immediately put into place internationally recognised Prevention of Spread of Infection (POSI) procedures, and those customers in resort were offered every assistance by our dedicated resort team.

‘We take all reports of illness extremely seriously, and did everything we could to help Ms Robson and Ms Schofield after they fell ill. Since their return, our customer services team have advised Ms Robson and Ms Schofield that we have launched a full and thorough investigation into their illness.

‘We know how upsetting it can be when our customers fall ill while on holiday.

‘As no other confirmed cases of e-coli have been reported, we have asked Ms Robson and Ms Schofield to provide medical evidence of this, so that we can continue our investigation and look to resolve this matter with them as soon as possible.’

Holiday Illness Claims – Expert Advice

Shiamli Mehta-Cronie, expert Travel Law solicitor at Hampson Hughes, has said:

‘The reports of the illness outbreak at the Savvas Hotel in Zante are distressing.

‘It is vital that tour operators be held accountable for the failings of their hotel providers.

‘If you have fallen victim to poor food and hygiene standards while on a package holiday, contact us today to find out whether you are eligible to claim’

For more information as to whether or not you are able to claim compensation following illness whilst on an all-inclusive package holiday, contact Hampson Hughes today for free and friendly, no obligation advice on 0151 236 1222 or email

Source: Mail Online