Illness Outbreaks at Beach Club Hotel, Torremolinos

Published date: 16 Aug 2007

Mollie May Cole, a child residing in Exeter, travelled with her family to the Beach Club Hotel, Torremolinos, Spain, during the period 23 June 2002 and 30 June 2002.  She was four years old at the time.

Illness Outbreaks at Beach Club Hotel, Torremolinos

Approximately two days before the end of the holiday, Mollie fell ill with gastric symptoms.  She experienced terrible diarrhoea, which was almost constant, and also vomiting and stomach cramps.   These symptoms continued up to her departure and continued after her return to the UK.

On the family's return home they consulted their GP on Mollie's condition and a stool sample was taken which tested positive for Salmonella.  Mollie's vomiting was extremely frequent in the initial stages of her illness and lasted until 10 July 2002.  As a result of her illness, she also suffered loss of appetite.  Mollie remained unwell for 62 days in total.

Whilst at the hotel, her parents, together with other holidaymakers who had also suffered similar symptoms, voiced their concerns to the Tour Representatives, but found that the Representatives were unhelpful in dealing with complaints. At one point so many people were taken ill that the hotel was barely able to cope with the situation and guests described a scene of complete chaos.

The main complaint related to the fact that it was alleged that there had been a longstanding problem with illness at the hotel and yet Tour Operators continued to send customers to the hotel.

Due to the severity of her symptoms, Mollie was unable to leave her room and enjoy the facilities of the hotel and the beach, and as a result her holiday was totally ruined.

A claim was brought on behalf of Mollie May Cole against the tour operator, Travel City Direct and she recovered £2141.05 in compensation.

Molly’s mother, Tina Cole commented after the case, “I feel that Irwin Mitchell dealt with Mollie's claim very well because everything was explained to me in layman's terms rather than legal jargon which was extremely useful as I had never used a solicitor before, and they made it easy for me to understand how her claim was being dealt with.

I was also kept up to date with the progress of Mollie's claim, and was always made aware of what was happening.

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