Claims following illness at the Hotel Presidente Ibiza

Published date: 04 Dec 2007

Instructions were received on behalf of 383 clients who suffered illness at the Hotel Presidente, Ibiza and in three other hotels in the Mediterranean whilst on package holidays sold and organised by Thomson.  The holidays were taken in 1997.  There were various complaints about the standard of the accommodation, the staff and tour operator representatives and the food and drink.  There were particular complaints about general hygiene standards and health precautions which led to outbreaks of illness amongst guests at the hotels.  Guests suffered with gastric illness of varying degrees of severity including proven cases of salmonella, campylobacter and giardiasis.  Many of those who were ill sustained acute symptoms requiring emergency medical treatment and, in some cases, admission to hospital.  Those most badly affected included large numbers of children.  Widespread illness led to fear amongst many about the nature of the illnesses and the consequences.  Some Claimants suffered psychiatric or psychological illness as a result of their own experience and witnessing the effects of widespread illness amongst family members and other guests.  Some Claimants developed long term or permanent complications, including irritable bowel syndrome and suffered illnesses which continue to have ongoing effects on their lives.

Legal proceedings were instituted on behalf of the 383 Claimants and negotiations were entered into with solicitors who acted for Thomson resulting in a scheme of damages being agreed under which it was possible to settle all claims involving illness of up to one year’s duration.  Lengthy further negotiations took place in order to settle cases involving longer term symptoms and it was necessary to list some of these cases for trial.

As a result of the legal action, damages totalling almost £2,000,000 were recovered on behalf of Claimants, an average of over £5,000 per Claimant.  The highest individual award amounted to £30,000.

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