Over £23,000 recovered after illness at Riu Helios Palace Hotel

Holidaymakers staying at the Riu Helios Palace Hotel in 2006 contacted Irwin Mitchell to bring a claim against TUI UK LTD (trading as Thomson) when they fell ill with gastric illness as a result of food consumed at the hotel. The clients alleged that quality and hygiene standards at the Hotel were poor.

Initially TUI UK LTD denied liability despite the knowledge that Mr and Mrs Blakelock had both reported their illness and symptoms to the representative at the Hotel and made a complaint in relation to the quality of food and the standards within the Hotel.
 
Mr and Mrs Blakelock who had travelled to Bulgaria for a two week holiday to celebrate their honeymoon fell ill within the first week of their holiday. The couples honeymoon was ruined as a result of the illness suffered. Mr Blakelock fell ill first suffering from severe diarrhoea and stomach pains followed by an episode of vomiting. Mr Blakelock explained that ‘the pains were unbearable, I had never been in so much pain before’.
 
Mrs Blakelock fell ill shortly after suffering similar symptoms. Both Mr and Mrs Blakelock reported their illness to the tour representative. Mrs Blakelock said that, “there were lots of other guests who were ill and suffered the same symptoms.”

Both Mr and Mrs Blakelock continued to suffer illness on return from their holiday and as a result they visited their GP. Upon having a stool sample taken Mr Blakelock tested positive for Salmonella. Even following treatment both Mr and Mrs Blakelock continue to suffer with the symptoms and have been left with ongoing symptoms caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome as a result of their illness. 

Mr and Mrs Blakelock described the hygiene of the Hotel as being appalling and the quality of the food falling far below a 4* standard.

Following negotiations, TUI UK LTD admitted liability and settled the claims for £23,500.
Our clients were overwhelmed by the result and added;

“Although no amount of money will ever bring back the time that we lost or the illness we continue to suffer, we are happy that TUI UK Limited have now admitted liability and have agreed to pay compensation. We thank Irwin Mitchell for all their hard work as this is a very good result.”

« Back