Legal News

Cruise operator Fred Olsen Lines had denied liability for Legionnaire’s disease contracted by a passenger, but has agreed a five-figure out-of-court settlement.

The Daily Mail reports that Frank Standen, 84, fell ill on board MS Black Watch and has received a five-figure payout from the cruise operator.

Mr Standen – a retired insurance broker from Tunbridge Wells in Kent – fell seriously ill as he and his 83-year-old wife Patricia sailed from Southampton to Cape Verde in November 2011.

He spent about three months in hospital and said he is “lucky to be alive”.

Mr Standen went to hospital in Cape Verde when the cruise liner docked and was given an X-ray. His symptoms grew worse and he was eventually airlifted off MS Black Watch and flown to hospital in Spain, where Legionnaire’s disease was diagnosed.

Mr Standen began to feel ill just a few days after his cruise sailed – suffering headaches, a high temperature and tiredness. His condition grew progressively worse, he says, until doctors on board the ship prescribed antibiotics.

However, his symptoms became so severe he was taken to a hospital for a chest X-ray when the ship arrived at Cape Verde.

Mr Standen returned to the ship, but continued to suffer severe symptoms.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands by a helicopter search and rescue team, where he was admitted to an intensive care unit.

He was unconscious for three out of the seven weeks he spent in the Spanish hospital.

Tests confirmed he had the serious lung infection Legionnaire’s disease, which is caused by Legionella bacteria present in air conditioning, water pipes and taps or showers heads. Legionella can also infect Jacuzzis or pipes or outlets in swimming pools. The infection usually occurs if pipes and air conditioners are not cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Symptoms take six or seven days for symptoms to appear – but an infected person can develop symptoms up to 19 days after infection.

Mr Standen was in hospital in Spain for two months and was then transferred to Sevenoaks Hospital in Kent, where he spent a further five weeks before being allowed to return home.

“I feel really lucky to be alive – but the whole experience of the cruise, being airlifted from the ship and spending so much time in hospital was absolutely dreadful and really shook me up,” Mr Standen said.

A spokesperson for Fred Olsen told MailOnline Travel:

“We are very sorry that Mr Standen was seriously unwell in 2011. As soon as his symptoms were discovered, our ships doctors and nurses did everything possible to ensure he received the best treatment. They quickly identified that Mr Standen would need to be taken to hospital and the ship arranged for a helicopter evacuation.

“Despite thorough and extensive testing, there is no evidence to suggest that he contracted Legionnaire’s disease on board our ship. No other guests or crew were found ill on this or any other subsequent cruise.

“We do not accept liability for Mr Standen’s illness.

“Sadly, even though we deny liability, history has shown that sometimes making an out-of-court settlement is more cost-effective for the company – avoiding lengthy and costly proceedings in court.

“At Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, the health, safety and well-being of all our guests and crew is paramount – and we believe that our systems for preventing the spread of illness on board our ships are amongst the best within the industry.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Holiday Illness Claims
Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise holidaymakers who fall ill on package holidays on how to make a no win no fee claim for holiday illness compensation.

Under the Package Travel Regulations 1992, holiday illness claims usually have to be made within three years of illness or diagnosis of holiday illness.

Children who fall ill on package holidays can make a compensation claim up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Holiday Illness Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.