Personal Injury Solicitors

Tour operator Thomas Cook has said it accepts the findings of an independent report into the deaths of two children on the holiday island of Corfu, after both children died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning while staying at accommodation booked through Thomas Cook.

The review was conducted by former Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Officer Justin King CBE and was commissioned in July 2015 by Peter Fankhauser, CEO of the Thomas Cook Group.

The company says the intention of the review was for it to play “a significant part” in supporting the change programme being implemented by Mr Fankhauser, which will put the customer “at the heart of everything we do”.

The review is also intended to ensure that no other parents will have to experience what Sharon Wood and Neil Shepherd – the parents of Robert and Christianne – went through.

Mr Shepherd was on holiday at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia, Corfu with Thomas Cook between 23-30 October 2006. He was accompanied by his children Bobby and Christi Shepherd and his then partner – now his wife – Ruth Beatson.

Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson both nearly died as a result of CO poisoning.

At an inquest into the children’s deaths in May, the Senior Coroner for West Yorkshire, David Hinchcliff summed up what had caused the CO poisoning leading to the deaths:

“Water heating and air conditioning was from an LPG water heater located in a separate annex which was allocated to the bungalow. The water heater was badly installed, defective and dangerous in that in-built safety devices had been deliberately disconnected. The water heater had not been serviced or maintained, causing carbon monoxide fumes to escape into the bungalow through defective building and piping.”

The jury at the inquest ruled that the children had been unlawfully killed.

Following an investigation in 2010, Greek police had charged 13 people in connection with the deaths of the children, including two employees of Thomas Cook. A total of nine people were acquitted, including all Thomas Cook employees. A total of four people were charged in connection with the children’s deaths and the faulty water heater installation.

The hotel’s insurers settled a claim made by the family for damages in 2012.
In 2013, Thomas Cook also won a £1.5m claim for damages from the hotel, which had been made in the High Court in England and Wales.

Of those convicted of the offences relating to the faulty installation of the water heater and the children’s deaths, one had his conviction overturned in the Greek court. A total of three others convicted had their sentences reduced and suspended.

The report states that the travel industry has a collective responsibility “to help its customers identify real value for money – not just the lowest price”.

The review also identified “a number of significant shortcomings in the implementation of the strategy and the operation of the safety system” – but added that clear action plans were now in place to address issues, including in-resort health and safety checks contracted out to an external provider.

The report adds that customer complaint information, quality checking and auditing by in-resort staff “can prove invaluable in helping to target auditing in resort” to improve health and safety checks.

Thomas Cook issued a statement in response to the review, which acknowledged its findings:

“The Review makes for uncomfortable reading in parts. We accept the findings and are committed to learning from them and using them as a catalyst to further accelerate the change programme which is already well underway.

“We note the review does recognise the strengths of our business, not least the commitment and dedication of our front line colleagues in our source markets and overseas who go the extra mile to support our customers every day.

“Thomas Cook has not stood still since the review was commissioned in July – and the Group has already implemented some specific measures through our New Operating Model to further strengthen our business.

“Following publication of the review, we intend to work through the detail of the findings and the recommendations, with a view to delivering implementation over the next 18 months.”

Duncan Lewis Holiday Claims Solicitors – No win no Fee Holiday Illness and Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis holiday claims solicitors can advise package holidaymakers who contract holiday illnesses or sustain injury on holiday as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for Holiday Illness and Accident compensation – including claims relating to:

• Accidents at sea (cruise package holiday accidents)
• Airplane accidents
• Balcony falls
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Cryptosporidium (swimming pool illness)
• Holiday excursion accidents
• Holiday food poisoning (campylobacter, E.coli, salmonella, listeria)
• Horse riding accidents
• Hot air balloon accidents
• Legionnaire’s disease
• Quad bike accidents
• Road traffic accidents
• Slips, trips and falls
• Sports injuries.

.
Holiday illness and accident claims have to be made within three years under the 1992 Package Travel Regulations – children can make a claim for holiday illness and accidents up to the age of 21.

In cases where a loved one has lost their life as a result of negligence on a package holiday, Duncan Lewis offers sympathetic advice to bereaved families on how to make a Fatal Injuries Claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Holiday Illness and Accident Claims, call Duncan Lewis Holiday Claims Solicitors on 0333 772 0409.