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Family Holiday Ruined By Illnesses
Published date:
18 Nov 2009
Law firm Irwin Mitchell is calling for a review of hygiene standards at the Jupiter / Saturno hotel complex in Alcudia, Majorca after a family of five became the latest people to be struck down by serious illness at the resort. Previous cases have been reported at the same resort in recent years.
All five members of the Chapman family including their one year old daughter, Mollie, contracted gastric illness while staying at the Jupiter / Saturno hotel complex in August 2009.
The family, from Barnsley, blame poor hygiene at the complex as the reasons for their illnesses, and have instructed travel law experts Irwin Mitchell to investigate legal action against the tour operator, Cosmos Holidays Plc. The law firm has previously successfully acted for 86 holidaymakers who suffered similar illness at the resort in 2003, including 12 people who travelled with Cosmos. Claims for a further 12 people who travelled with First Choice last year and who also fell ill are still ongoing.
Various family members suffered from symptoms including respiratory problems, weight loss and dehydration, and all of the family suffered from stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
Martin Chapman, the father of the family, said: “We are extremely angry that Cosmos knowingly sent us to a hotel with previous hygiene problems without ensuring they were fixed.
“I was probably the worst affected of our family. In addition to gastric symptoms I also suffered from respiratory problems which were so severe that it was initially thought I had suffered a heart attack, and I still haven’t returned to work.”
The family were also angered by the response they received on their return to the UK. The travel agency they booked with dismissed their complaint, allegedly telling Mr Chapman: ‘‘You get what you pay for.”
Mr Chapman continued: “I was shocked by the response from the travel agent when we complained to them. We had saved all year and paid nearly £2,500 for our holiday, and I don’t think it’s at all unreasonable to expect a clean and hygienic hotel for that.”
The Chapmans complained that food at the complex was left uncovered, with white meat often served undercooked, pink and bloody. They also criticised general hygiene standards, saying that the restaurant was dirty and the pool was not checked or cleaned, leading to an influx of flies, wasps and an ant infestation around the pool area.
Mr Chapman added: “Our room was in poor condition; some of the electrics were faulty and the air-conditioning didn’t work at all. We were in Majorca in the middle of August, so things like air-conditioning are essential to keep the room cool.”
Irwin Mitchell is calling for the tour operator to force the Jupiter / Saturno hotel complex to improve its standards or to stop sending guests to the resort.
Adam Wright, travel law specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “There is a disturbing history of illness amongst guests at this hotel and Cosmos must act immediately to ensure any ongoing problems of health and hygiene are rectified.
“Cosmos claim the Jupiter / Saturno hotel complex is their most popular family resort, and quite frankly it’s unforgivable for illnesses to occur in consecutive years.
“Unfortunately, we see many hotels where the same problems keep occurring year after year. Gastric illness can be very serious and in some cases can cause permanent problems for victims. This situation is unacceptable and tour operators need to ensure the hotels they use comply with the health and safety regulations which are in place to protect their guests.”
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