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£20,000 compensation for Dominican Republic holiday food poisoning (1 September 2014)

Date: 01/09/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, £20,000 compensation for Dominican Republic holiday food poisoning

A holidaymaker from Bristol who endured a “nightmare” holiday in the Dominican Republic has won £20,000 in holiday food poisoning compensation.

The Daily Mail reports that builder Mark Bidwell, 33, was on a two-week Thomas Cook holiday in the Dominican Republic in 2009, together with his partner Nicola Greathurst.

The couple had only been at the four-star Bahia Principe Hotel in San Juan for five days when Mr Bidwell began to feel unwell, suffering symptoms of stomach cramps, diarrhoea and exhaustion.

Mr Bidwell also lost weight as a result of the gastric illness he developed on holiday – and was left with ongoing symptoms of the holiday illness.

His partner Nicole Greathurst was 24 weeks’ pregnant with their daughter Madison at the time they were on holiday – and has received a settlement from Thomas Cook even though she did not fall ill.

Holiday illnesses like Salmonella or E.coli can be extremely serious during pregnancy or in women who are breastfeeding, as not only can the infection be passed on through the umbilical cord or in breast milk, but expectant or breastfeeding mothers can easily become dehydrated as a result of food poisoning infections.

Last week, Thomas Cook also agreed a settlement with Mr Bidwell before the case went to court.

Mr Bidwell told the Daily Mail:

“I regret ever staying at the hotel – it was a terrible experience for us and I am still suffering the consequences today, as I am still experiencing ongoing symptoms.
“I feel as though my life has completely changed – and it will never be the same again.

“The holiday was a nightmare for both of us – the food was awful and we have both been put off travelling to the Dominican Republic ever again.”

The Mail asked the hotel to comment on the case, but had not received a response before going to press.

However, a spokesman for Thomas Cook tried to reassure holidaymakers that standards at the Bahia Principe Hotel would be monitored – despite the hotel being a the centre of previous incidences of holiday illness.

“Thomas Cook is sorry that Mr Bidwell fell ill while on holiday at the Bahia Principe Hotel in San Juan, Dominican Republic in October 2009,” said a Thomas Cook spokesman.
“We have extended our apologies to the party, while reaching an agreement with their legal representatives.

“We would like to assure customers that incidents of this type are rare, as Thomas Cook closely audits all the properties to which it operates to ensure that only the very highest hygiene standards are maintained.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Holiday Illness & Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise holidaymakers who fall ill on package holidays on how to make no win no claims under the Package Travel Regulations 1992.

Personal injury claimants have three years from the date of illness or injury in which to make a no win no fee compensation claim – and children can make a claim for holiday illness and accidents for up to three years after the age of 18.

For expert legal advice on making no win no fee claims for Holiday Illness & Accidents on package holidays, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
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