Investigations are being carried out by our dedicated Travel Litigation Team at Hudgell Solicitors into illnesses suffered by British holidaymakers at two hotels in Egypt this summer.
We have been contacted by a number of families after members of their travelling party became unwell whilst staying at the Jaz Mirabel in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the Jaz Aquamarine in Hurghada, in June and July.
Those who have contacted us for advice have described symptoms of gastric illnesses such as violent diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and pains, lasting from a number of days whilst on holiday to three and four weeks later, well after they had returned home.
Of course, sickness bugs can never be completely avoided and it can be common for people to suffer as a result of a change in diet and climate. However, there are several circumstances where people might be entitled to make an illness or injury on holiday claim.
However, when we are alerted to situations where a number of holiday guests are affected by similar symptoms, particularly when they are not part of the same travelling group, we feel an investigation is needed to contain any wider outbreak and prevent future problems.
Holidaymakers becoming ill having only ever eaten at the specific hotel they are staying at, and concerns raised by guests over standards of hygiene and cleanliness throughout premises, and not just in dining areas, are often red flags to potential underlying problems.
Holiday sickness compensation can be claimed from tour operators and hotels
At Hudgell Solicitors, we have experience of successfully claiming compensation from package holiday tour operators, hotels and their insurers and from cruise ship operators for health and safety breaches leading to food poisoning and bacterial infections.
In addition to the cases we have already agreed to investigate, we note that there are a number of guest reviews on the independent holiday review site TripAdvisor relating to both of these hotels in Egypt, mentioning illnesses and concerns over hygiene and food quality from this June and July.
Read more: Holiday Illness Abroad Compensation Claims
A July review of the Jaz Mirabel describes the hotel’s restaurant as ‘madness’, with ‘food on the floor, kids sitting on tables, hotel quests touching food and putting it back away with their hands etc’.
Another review from July refers to illnesses and food being served with mould on it, again making reference to almost all members of their party suffering from diarrhoea at some stage.
A third review describes ‘a lot of mould between the tiles’ of swimming pools, and states that all of his party had ‘sore tummies and the runs’ at some stage of their break.
Similarly, recent reviews of the Jaz Aquamarine in Hurghada also raise concerns, including a holidaymaker celebrating his 50th birthday who was taken ill with ‘severe stomach cramps and the runs’, with his wife also suffering after returning home.
Another review says ‘never been so ill on a holiday and I’m well-travelled. Diarrhoea and sickness 8 of the ten days there as did other members of the family. Many other guests were also ill who were there.”
A third states ‘My sister has left a review regarding sickness/diarrhoea to which we all caught and was diagnosed with cryptosporidium. I’m still struggling now 3 weeks post-holiday.”
A couple who travelled to mark their 20th wedding anniversary allege that they both became ill diarrhoea, vomiting, uncontrollable shakes and stomach cramps, with the husband needing to be placed on an intravenous drip of medications.
Holiday tour operators are responsible for ensuring holidaymakers are safe and that all steps are taken to prevent illnesses spreading.
If it transpires there has been an illness outbreak within hotels that could and should have been prevented, those affected could receive holiday illness compensation for their suffering and the loss of enjoyment on holiday, which is of course so many people look forward to, and save money for, for so long.
If you want to speak to our team about illnesses experienced whilst staying at the Jaz Mirabel in Sharm El-Sheikh or the Jaz Aquamarine in Hurghada, call our team today for free legal advice or you can begin by contacting us via our claim form and selecting Holiday Accident.
Read more: Accidents and Illnesses Abroad
