£6,100 compensation for couple after illness ruins Caribbean holiday

A couple whose Caribbean holiday was wrecked due to both suffering gastric illness have been awarded compensation.

When problems struck in July 2014 the pair were staying at the 4-star IFA Villa Resort and Spa at Bavaro, Dominican Republic. They had booked their holiday through Thomas Cook.

“Our clients contracted gastrointestinal infections believed to be as a result of poor hygiene standards and practises at the hotel,” Simpson Millar’s Amanda Dunford said. “This is likely to have been the result of consuming contaminated food.

“The break was meant to be their last big holiday as a couple before starting a family.”

Robbery at hotel had already spoiled holiday

Having also suffered the shock of a theft of their personal belongings within a day of their arrival, the illness was the final nail in the coffin.

“It ruined their holiday,” Amanda said. “It was all a highly emotive and unpleasant experience.”

Amanda added that other guests were also believed to have contracted illness at the same time.

To add insult to injury, Thomas Cook at first saw fit to offer the couple only a derisory damages consideration.

Amanda commented, “Their holiday was beyond repair, yet Thomas Cook’s initial offer was nothing more than a voucher worth £290 – presumably only redeemable with them.

“In light of all the pain, discomfort and inconvenience experienced at its hotel – and the settlement that was finally agreed – this offer was derisory and insulting.”

“Our clients raised numerous issues in terms of the quality and standards at the hotel” Amanda concluded. “They didn’t expect to pick up an infection at a hotel that has supposedly been checked for health and safety by the holiday company that represents it.

“The compensation initially offered significantly undervalued their case. In due course they collectively received £6,100, which went some way to defusing their feelings of having been badly let down by Thomas Cook.”