Holiday Illness and Sickness Claims

Every case is different, so we can’t tell you exactly how long, but generally holiday illness claims take between 10 to 14 months if the responsible party agrees to settle. But if they don’t and the case goes to Court, it can take longer – sometimes up to 3 years.

We can usually deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means you only pay us legal fees if your claim is successful.

We can discuss other ways to pay for your claim if a No Win, No Fee Claim isn’t suitable. Just ask us to talk through the options.

The amount of compensation you could get will depend on how serious your illness was and the impact it’s had on your life.

To give you a rough idea, we’ve helped clients claim compensation ranging from £600 to £33,500 for food poisoning on holiday.

Your compensation can also include any income you’ve lost because of the illness, and any expenses such as medical fees and prescription charges.

• Food being served lukewarm - A breeding ground for bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter
• Food not being cooked thoroughly - Pink and bloody chicken and runny eggs are known causes of campylobacter and salmonella
• Food that has been reheated or left standing for too long
• Flies and insects contaminating food - flies transfer faecal matter
• Birds and other animals contaminating food service areas
• Infected or ill food handlers touching and preparing food
• Ice which has not been prepared using filtered water
• Salads and fruit washed in tap water - which may lead to infections such as Shigella, E. coli or Giardia
• The swimming pool - people who are ill can easily spread the parasite cryptosporidium which contaminates pool water and is resistant to chlorine
• Public toilets - may be hazardous if the last visitor has not washed their hands and then touches, for example the door handle when exiting. It’s always important to take extra precautions abroad to avoid illness, for example using anti-bacterial gel.

If you booked your holiday through a tour operator, then they’re responsible for keeping you safe. If you’re ill because of poor food handling practices or hygiene at your hotel, then your tour operator is responsible.

But if you booked your hotel independently, then the hotel will be responsible. This can make things more difficult when trying to claim compensation. Ask us for advice if you’re not sure how you booked your holiday.

• Avoid drinking tap water, including ice made from tap water
• Don’t brush your teeth using tap water
• Don’t eat raw vegetables including salads and fruits, unless they have plastic covering
• Don’t eat rare or raw meat or fish. Make sure all meat and fish is cooked thoroughly
• Don’t eat dairy products from small vendors, or any dairy products that have been left out in the sun
• Don’t eat food that has been kept warm
• If you become ill, don’t prepare or handle food for other people as you can spread your illness
• Drink carbonated water, bottled or canned drinks rather than tap water
• Drink hot drinks as they are relatively safe even if not fully boiled
• Keep hydrated - if you are suffering from dehydration, drink fruit juice or bottled water
• Wash your hands frequently