FAQs for Holiday Illness Claims
Q. What are the most common types of holiday illness?
A. Food poisoning is the most common holiday illness, which can be caused by Salmonella, E.coli, Campylobacter or Cryptosporidium infection. Poor standards of food and hygiene in holiday package hotels often causes food poisoning, and symptoms commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
Q. Do I need to seek medical advice for food poisoning?
A. Yes, always seek medical advice for food poisoning, as it can result in serious illness through dehydration if it is not treated properly, and quickly. Also see your GP when you arrive back in the UK to make sure you are not still carrying the bug.
Q. Should I contact the tour operator directly to make a complaint?
A. No, contact us first, as you may be entitled to much more than the tour operator is offering. If you have stayed in a holiday package tour hotel, and you suffered illness as a result of poor standards of food and hygiene, the tour operator is responsible. We can contact the tour operator on your behalf and help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Q. Can I claim for injuries sustained in a pool-side accident?
A. If you have suffered an accident at the pool in your holiday hotel complex, and you were exposed to danger because of poor maintenance or non-existent health and safety procedures, you could make a claim against the tour operator, providing the hotel was part of a package tour.
Q. Can I claim for illness during a holiday excursion?
A. Yes, providing the excursion was arranged by the hotel, which was part of your package tour. The tour operator has a responsibility not to expose you to food poisoning, or any other illness on holiday, and you could make a claim for compensation if they are proven to have been negligent.
Q. How much will it cost to claim for holiday sickness abroad?
A. If you claim with Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors, it won´t cost you a penny. We work on a no win, no fee basis, and you will receive 100% of the compensation.
Q. What should I do if I am ill on holiday abroad?
A. First, seek medical advice, then make a complaint to the holiday representative in your hotel. Make a note of the name of the person you speak to and the date. Keep a copy of any paperwork you sign, including a complaint form, which could prove useful if you make a compensation claim when you return to the UK.
Q. Can we make a claim after an accident on board an aircraft?
A. Yes, if you have suffered any type of accident on board an aircraft, Farnworth Rose could help you claim compensation for your injuries. Accidents en route to your holiday resort are more common than you may think, and burns from hot liquids, plus trips on loose carpet, can cause injury and suffering.
Q. Is holiday sickness more prevalent in all-inclusive holiday hotels?
A. Many all-inclusive resort hotels have excellent standards of health and hygiene, but some fall short. Reports of food poisoning and stomach upsets in all-inclusive holiday hotels in Egypt and Turkey, for example have increased in the past 12 months.
Q. Is there any way to avoid holiday sickness?
A. Be vigilant and never eat meat or fish which is not thoroughly cooked, particularly from hotel barbecues. Refuse to eat food which is left out, buffet-style uncovered, and never drink the local tap water – buy bottled.
Q. Why should I use Farnworth Rose for my holiday illness claim?
A. Anne Thomson, who is a valuable member of our team at Farnworth Rose, has over 20 years´ experience of dealing with holiday illness compensation claims. Originally working on the ´other side of the fence´ for a major tour operator, Anne has bought her knowledge and expertise in the complicated field of travel law to Farnworth Rose, and she will guide you through the claims process from start to finish, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Q. Can I claim holiday compensation if the facilities were not as described in the brochure?
A. When a tour operator provides a brochure, it must contain accurate information about the type of accommodation on offer, the facilities and its location. If you think you have been misled by material in the brochure, contact us as soon as possible and we will look into your complaint to see if you have a case for compensation.
Q. Do I have any rights if a tour operator I use is not covered by ABTA?
A. Yes, you still have the same rights whether your tour operator is a member of a Trade Association or not.
Q. If my flight is altered at the last minute, what rights do I have?
A. If a significant alteration is made to a holiday itinerary, you should be informed of this as soon as possible. If a tour operator has not done this, he may be liable to compensate you. Every case is different, and we would be happy to assess your claim free of charge, to see if you can claim compensation from the tour operator.
Q. Can a tour operator change the price of a holiday after it has been booked?
A. The price can only be legally changed when the original booking form or contract states that upwards and downward price revisions can be made, and changes can only be made to allow for changes in the cost of transport, such as airport taxes and exchange rates.
Q. What are the Package Travel Regulations?
A. Any company in the UK which sells or offers package holidays for sale must comply with the Package Travel Regulations, 1992. These regulations set out the responsibilities of tour operators to their customers, and the remedies available should there be a breach of contract/regulations. A package holiday is something which is a pre-arranged combination sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price covering a period of more than 24 hours, and one which includes at least two of the following: accommodation, transport or other significant tourist services.
Q. Am I entitled to my money back from the tour operator if I see bad reviews about a hotel I have booked and want to cancel my holiday?
A. No, unfortunately not. But if you travel to a resort or a hotel which is part of a package tour and you suffer any type of illness, caused by poor standards of hygiene and food at the hotel, you can contact us when you return, to see if you are entitled to claim compensation.
Q. Can I make a claim for minor symptoms of holiday illness?
A. Yes, however mild or severe your symptoms are, you should contact Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors when you return to the UK. Any type of illness can spoil your holiday, and if sickness is caused by the negligence of the tour operator, then you should claim the compensation you deserve.
Q. Do I need vaccinations against disease if I am travelling outside Europe?
A. It largely depends where you are travelling to. Make an appointment to see your GP a couple of months before you are due to leave, and he can advise you about any jabs you may require.
Q. What is a group action for compensation?
A. A group action allows claims from several people to be put together and claim as a group. This would normally include people who have suffered the same experience, such as food poisoning, at the same time in a holiday hotel. It is often easier to claim compensation by claiming as a group, as there is more evidence to back you up.
How is Salmonella contracted?
A. Salmonella can be found in animals, including poultry and pigs, and also in water, soil, animal faeces, raw meat and raw seafood. The disease is often passed on through the faecal/oral route, or by cross contamination, when, for example, raw chicken is prepared on a chopping board and then other food is prepared on the same board without it being washed in between. Poor standards of food and hygiene in a holiday hotel can easily result in Salmonella food poisoning.
Can I claim for an accident during a hotel excursion?
A. Yes, providing the excursion was organised by the hotel. If there was negligence by someone involved in the excursion for who the tour operator was liable, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Common accidents during hotel excursions include: slips, trips and falls.
How do people contract E.coli on holiday?
A. E-coli often results from consuming contaminated food or drink in your hotel following poor food storage and preparation, poor hygiene standards and unsafe catering practices. Symptoms can include diarrhoea with blood, vomiting, abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms, which normally last between 5-10 days.
What is Campylobacter infection?
A. Campylobacter is bacteria which cause food poisoning, and most people who become ill with the infection get diarrhoea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure. Diarrhoea can be bloody and sufferers may also have symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The illness usually lasts a week, although some sufferers don´t have any symptoms at all. Most cases of campylobacteriosis are caused by handling raw poultry or eating raw or undercooked poultry meat.
What is Cryptosporidium?
A. Cryptosporidium is a parasite which can contaminate water, soil, uncooked food or be present in faeces. When cryptosporidium is ingested, it can cause watery diarrhoea, sometimes lasting for weeks. The illness usually passes naturally, but, as with Salmonella, E.coli and Campylobacter, the illness can prove fatal if you become severely dehydrated. The most common way to contract Campylobacter is by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated liquids, which may be offered in holiday hotels, where the standards of food and hygiene are poor.
