The legal experts at YourHolidayClaims have helped a Darlington husband and wife recover £3,270 in damages after their anniversary celebrations at the ClubHotel RIU Bachata in the Dominican Republic were devastated by an outbreak of gastric illness.
Michele and Steve Beck booked an early June 2015 stay at the five-star ClubHotel RIU Bachata, eager to celebrate their wedding anniversary in the Caribbean sunshine surrounded by close friends.
Unfortunately, a dark shadow was soon cast upon the couples celebrations as it became apparent that the facilities on offer were not as described.
Speaking to the experts at YourHolidayClaims, Michele recalls being presented with rooms where live wires were exposed and shower heads were fixed in place with plasters.
Michele also notes that she never saw the swimming pool cleaned once during her 2-week stay and expresses great disgust that fungi were allowed to grow at the poolside.
Steve shares in his wifes concerns and claims to have witnessed an appalling catalogue of food hygiene failings. âThe food was always cold or lukewarm and it became obvious that food was simply reheated from one meal to the next,â states Steve.
âBirds were allowed to fly in and around the main restaurant. There was no mesh over windows/doors to keep them out,â he continues.
It soon became clear to the couple that the hotel was in the midst of an illness outbreak. âVirtually every holidaymaker we spoke to was suffering from, or had suffered from sickness and diarrhoea,â comments Michele.
Not surprisingly, within days of their arrival at the 610 room resort, Steve began to experience diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
Less than 48 hours later, Michele was struck with the same debilitating illness symptoms and was left bedridden for 2 days owing to the severity of the symptoms.
Both Steve and Michele were to continue to suffer from repeat outbreaks of illness for the remainder of their ruined holiday and lost all confidence in food hygiene standards at the hotel.
Michele explains: âI felt I was over the worst then it would start again as soon as I ate anything⦠by the end of the holiday we were eating crisps and biscuits bought at supermarket, we did not feel confident in the food provided by the hotel.â
Still ill on their return home and having spent their anniversary apart due to illness, Steve and Michele decided to take legal action, appointing Anne Thomson, head of travel law at YourHolidayClaims on a no win no fee basis.
Settlement success
With Annes help, the couple recovered £3,270 in a successful settlement with tour operator First Choice.
Commenting on the case, Anne said: âI am delighted that I was able to help Mr and Mrs Beck secure compensation following illness in the Dominican Republic at the ClubHotel RIU Bachata.
âUnfortunately, we regularly hear from holidaymakers struck by illness in hotels throughout the Dominican Republic. I strongly urge anyone who has fallen ill on a package holiday within the last three years to come forward and seek legal advice. We are here to support and guide you through the claims process.â
Michele added: âWe are thankful to all at YourHolidayClaims. It feels simply fantastic to have a positive result after such a dreadful experience.â
What is your claim worth?
If illness ruined your package holiday within the last three years, the specialist solicitors at YourHolidayClaims could help you receive anything between £770 – £43,890 in a successful no win no fee compensation claim.
With over 50 years experience in travel law and an unrivalled claim success rate, YourHolidayClaims have the expertise and background knowledge to provide you with the very best legal representation.
To talk directly to a member of our friendly holiday claims team, call us now on 0330 100 2851.
Or, if you can’t talk to us right now, you can make your holiday claim online.
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