Holiday ILLNESS - Compensation

longhaulfun

Hello,
I made the mistake of going to Egypt twice and being ill both times! The first trip not so bad 3 days unwell, (although the trip was only 7 days) so I took a gamble (as my husband wasn't ill I thought maybe it was just me) and went back.

Both trips I was advised to go the chemist on site at the resort an rest for about 2-3 days until it passed.

On return from the second trip I was unwell for about 2 weeks after my return home and was diagnosed with gastroentitis via a "sample" at my local GP. (after eventually getting an appointment!)

I suppose what I am asking is what rights do I have for compensation? I have been trying to look how to claim and what to claim and pursue this myself, however all I can find is various holiday claim companies.

Several years ago I made the unfortunate mistake of claiming my PPI via a company and lost a considerable chunk of it, so I am looking to see if I am better off claiming by myself or via a firm.

PS I would add the resort we were in had 5 restaurants, and 3 bars so we did not leave the resort. So I can confirm this would have been from the hotel food, pool, or staff.

any advice is appreciated. :money:

ali-t

There are constant adds on my local radio station just now about holiday sickness compensation. Seems like its the new PPI.

pattycake

I have been to Egypt numerous times and never been ill. Just lucky? No, I take care not to overindulge in food, drink and sun. I also make copious use of hand santizer particularly after handling the untensils in the buffet restaurants or touching their currency.

It is very hard to prove that your illness was as a result of the food. It can quite easily be something you have contracted by touching a door handle (for example) after another guest with poor hygiene habits.

I don't wish to sound harsh but sometimes you just have to take responsibility for your own health. If the food was to blame, how is it that your husband was fine?

Alan_Bowen

Being ill on holiday is no fun at all and I am sorry you got hit twice in Egypt, it does have something of a reputation however of undercooked food and dicey ice in drinks. In order to claim you really need to pinpoint what you think caused the illness and that after a period of time may not be easy. You would have to show that the food was the cause of the illness and as 60% of travellers get gippy tummy, that is not going to be easy. Was there evidence of a lot of people being ill at the same time, are there Tripadvisor reports which mention illness in a lot of reviews?

The problem for operators is that all inclusive can be a blessing or a curse, if it really is a problem with the food, a lot of people will suffer but if you appear to be the only one, they can turn around and say no one else was affected, which means you have little or no chance whatsoever of recovering compensation.

As you discovered, losing thousands of pounds to the PPI sharks was a complete waste of money but this is not something that you will find easy if the tour operator turns around and says 'no' so, with deep regret, I think if you want to go for it, you need to take advice. It would be better if the Dr had diagnosed something more specific than gastro as that can be caused by so many issues whilst the likes of listeria and salmonella can usually point to a specific cause

longhaulfun

The a la carte restuarants were fine because of the food cooked to order (I feel there was no issues). I was cautious with previous reviews and was using hand gels etc. The hotel in particular had a bad reputation for "logging" in the pool and other complaints I have seen around that time show the pool being opened an hour or so after this. (may or may not have been disinfected properly).

I would also add, that inbetween the trips to Egypt I was in New York for a week (with no illness) and just returned from 2 weeks in Thailand with no illness. I understand a travel company may try to put the blame on me, but I took all precautions possible. For example the welcome pack in the hotel in Egypt advised do not use ice for the first 2-3 days to let your stomach get used to the new water etc.....and so I didn't.

PeacefulWaters

I've had the trots without going on holiday. Can I get my ex to compensate me?

photome

I was ill in Sri Lanka many years ago, pretty sure it was the food but I never thought of trying for compo, just put it down to different food/ hygiene

Caz3121

For many countries...Egypt, India etc..I consider upset systems to be expected and a bonus if not affected. On recent trip to India I was really careful, hand gel everywhere, no ice or salad (the entire trip not just first 2-3 days) and probiotics every day and was fine but had I not been, compensation would not have entered my thoughts.
however I did find this article though (when looking up 'logging')
http://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/case-study/compensation-for-illness-outbreak-at-red-sea-holiday-village-3174
don't think I would select a hotel that has a bad reputation for it!

missbiggles1

longhaulfun wrote: »

The a la carte restuarants were fine because of the food cooked to order (I feel there was no issues). I was cautious with previous reviews and was using hand gels etc. The hotel in particular had a bad reputation for "logging" in the pool and other complaints I have seen around that time show the pool being opened an hour or so after this. (may or may not have been disinfected properly).

I would also add, that inbetween the trips to Egypt I was in New York for a week (with no illness) and just returned from 2 weeks in Thailand with no illness. I understand a travel company may try to put the blame on me, but I took all precautions possible. For example the welcome pack in the hotel in Egypt advised do not use ice for the first 2-3 days to let your stomach get used to the new water etc.....and so I didn't.

Then why did you book to stay there?

leylandsunaddict

So I can confirm this would have been from the hotel food, pool, or staff.

or another guest, or someone on your flight.

You've no proof at all from where/who it came from, so why do you think you should be able to claim compensation for having an upset stomach? Gastroenteritis is an extremely common condition and doesn't mean food poisoning, and even if it was you would have to prove you got it from the hotel food. If that was the case then there would be lot's of people ill, as there would be if you'd have contracted it from the pool. If it was from something like that the chances are very high that you would have needed far more than just rest and the help of a chemist!

Having an upset stomach is often part and parcel of travelling. I was ill for over a week in Lanzarote many years ago, and continued to be ill for days after returning home. It happens.

Egypt is one place I would expect to have stomach problems, and would be aware of that when booking. I would also never book a hotel anywhere that had a history of logging!

gunsandbanjos

You booked a hotel with a reputation for people taking a dump in the pool? Seriously?!