Compensation news
27/01/2011

Holiday illness claims over Turkish resort's hygiene

More than 100 people from all over the UK are claiming compensation for holiday illness which they say is a result of staying in a Turkish resort where they were served under-cooked food amid dirty surroundings, leading to salmonella and other gastro-intestinal diseases.

A group action through a no win no fee law firm is being taken by 107 holiday-makers against First Choice Holidays and Flights, following their unhappy experiences at Sarigerme Holiday Village in Dalaman in 2009.

In a High Court writ, the victims allege they were given lukewarm food, under-cooked barbecue meat, uncovered food was infested with flies and wasps, hot and lukewarm food was mixed, un-eaten food was re-used at the end of the day and staff were not trained in hygiene practices. There are also claims that a swimming pool was contaminated with faeces which lifeguards asked holiday-makers to clear.

The group's legal action document adds that, despite a higher than usual incidence of gastric illness, the travel company continued to send guests to the resort.

A spokeswoman for First Choice said that it was in talks with lawyers representing those who were claiming they had suffered personal injury from a holiday illness and that the company audited all resorts it operated to ensure health, hygiene and comfort were maintained.