First Choice pays five-figure sum to sick holidaymaker
First Choice has paid a five-figure settlement to a man who fell seriously ill on holiday at a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic.
Dirk Ord, 54, from Northumberland, was rushed to hospital during his two-week stay with friends at the Dreams Resort and Spa in September 2012 after suffering diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains.
He spent two days in hospital and continued to suffer health issues on his return to the UK.
The father-of-one told his legal team that during his stay he was concerned to see food left uncovered in the restaurant areas, food was recycled at different meal times and that fresh food was being mixed in with old food.
Despite First Choice denying liability for the illness, it has agreed to pay a five-figure sum.
The case was handled by lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.
"A number of other cases relating to illness suffered by holidaymakers during their stay at the Dreams Resort and Spa are ongoing and we are working to achieve a fair settlement for their ordeals," said Jennifer Downing, a travel illness specialist with the law firm.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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