Suki Chhokar's forthright manner has won him a reputation as a "true litigator" who "pushes claims to the maximum." He has made his name on claims relating to large food poisoning incidents on board cruise liners.
Chambers and Partners Directory (2008)
Hundreds Of Holidaymakers Struck Down By Illness On Board Luxury Mediterranean Cruise
Published date:
22 Jul 2009
Passengers taking legal action after falling seriously ill on board a luxury Mediterranean cruise say hundreds of fellow passengers were also struck down by the same outbreak.
Several hundred passengers on the ill-fated Thomson Spirit liner are believed to have been ill, with dozens confined to cabins while on board the ship and many tourists stopped from going ashore at ports they had paid hundreds of pounds to visit as the cruise liner’s crew tried to contain the outbreak.
Travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell are now acting for a growing group of passengers who have returned from the disastrous Iberian Delights voyage and claim fellow passengers were 'dropping like flies' as the serious gastric illness swept through the liner.
Madeline Nolan, 51, from Wallsend in North Tyneside, ended up vomiting blood after being struck down by severe stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea which left her unable to leave her room for three days as her holiday with husband Tom, 58, descended into disaster.
She said she was still suffering from symptoms as a result of her trip in May and added: "My husband and I were really looking forward to this trip but it ended up being a nightmare.
"Hundreds of people were affected – the medical centre was inundated with people queuing for medical supplies and a large number of people were also confined to their cabins. It was absolutely horrendous.
"There was certainly a breakdown in hygiene standards. The ship in general was not clean, hot food at the buffet was cold, there were flies all over the food, toilets were not cleaned – the list was endless."
Lesley Jackson, from Durham, said her holiday had also been ruined as she and her family were struck down by sickness and painted a grim scene of life on board the holiday liner.
"People were dropping like flies. As the cruise went on, you could see trays of uneaten food building up in the corridors outside people’s cabins,” the 38-year-old mother-of-one said.
“The buffet was self-service initially, but after it became apparent that people were falling ill, the food was served by members of staff for the rest of the cruise. Hand sanitizers were available for passengers to use but they weren’t manned at first, but once people started to fall ill, their use was enforced."
She added: “I simply don’t think enough was done to protect the health of the passengers aboard the ship – and by the time the illness had spread it was too late. What was meant to be a relaxing cruise turned into an absolute nightmare."
One couple on the two-week cruise, which sailed from Newcastle on May 2nd, had their access card allowing them on and off the boat cancelled as increasing numbers of passengers were confined to their cabins for up to 72 hours at a time to try and stop the illness spreading to their shipmates.
Angry travellers have bombarded internet message boards with complaints about the cruise after they and their families’ holidays were wrecked by the problems on board
Suki Chhokar from Irwin Mitchell, which is already representing 17 of the passengers, said he was shocked by the reports from passengers on board the cruise ship and urged tour operator Thomson to ensure lessons were learned from the outbreak to stop future travellers suffering a similar fate.
"It's hard to imagine what it was like for these poor passengers on board this cruise, trapped on board and then having to watch their fellow travellers falling ill around them,” he said.
"What happened on this cruise is simply appalling. We are very concerned about the reports of widespread illness and hygiene complaints on board. It certainly sounds like more could and should have been done to reduce the risk of passengers becoming ill.
"We have already been instructed by a large number of passengers who are deeply disturbed by their experiences on board the Iberian Delight. As well as suffering very unpleasant short term illnesses, there is a significant risk that some of our clients will go on to suffer long term or permanent illness through no fault of their own. We have invited Thomson to admit liability and hope that they will do so quickly and work with us to fairly compensate our clients. If not, legal proceedings are likely to be commenced, something which we and our clients would like to avoid if possible."
« Back
My husband and I wanted to commend the professionalism of Irwin Mitchell staff. We have appreciated the telephone conversations as well as written communications and cannot speak too highly of the member of staff we were dealing with.
Mr and Mrs Tulley, Gainsborough