Couple Issue Travel Claim After “Nightmare” Holiday
25/08/2009
A Dorset couple have instructed leading UK law firm Irwin Mitchell to start a travel claim against a leading tour operator after suffering from a severe gastric illness and being hospitalised in a knife attack whilst on holiday in South America.
Paul Sparrow and his partner Valerie Roberts have launched the travel claim against First Choice Holidays after suffering severe sickness, diarrhoea, sweating and fever-like symptoms after just two days at the Costa Caribe resort in Venezuela.
The holiday went from bad to worse when the couple were attacked and repeatedly stabbed by a group of local men while on the beach in front of the hotel. The couple both needed urgent medical attention after the attack.
Ms Roberts was left with cuts on her throat, a puncture wound in her back and cuts across her arm, knees and legs. Mr Sparrow was left with a stab wound to the hand and cuts across his fingers. He was also hit on the head with a rock and tied up by his neck with a rope.
The attack has left the couple unable to enjoy going out as much as they did previously. Ms Roberts said: “I tend to feel jumpy when I’m out in town particularly if I can hear anyone behind me. At times it can come back to me and I just feel cold inside.”
Mr Sparrow was also critical of the hygiene standards in the hotel, which he believes were responsible for the health problems that the pair suffered.
“The hygiene was so poor, particularly in the restaurant,” claimed Mr Sparrow. “The food was warm at best, it was left uncovered and there were so many flies around. The sauce trays in particular often had dead flies lying in them. To top it all off there were birds, wild cats and dogs all around the restaurant.”
“The holiday was a complete nightmare,” he added. “It has left me and my partner feeling anxious about travelling again and we feel that First Choice should compensate us for the poor standards of the hotel.”
Mark Watts, a member of Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Travel Litigation Team said: “This is an appalling case. It displays the total lack of care First Choice has shown towards protecting their customers from illness and injury.
“Had First Choice shown due care and ensured effective health and safety measures were in place, much of the couple’s suffering could have been avoided. We would like anyone else who has suffered from illness at the Costa Caribe resort to contact us.”
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