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Children poisoned at Dominican Republic hotel win damages Children poisoned at Dominican Republic hotel win damages
(2 months later)
Damages for 60 children, from babies to teenagers, who fell ill from food poisoning while on a supposed "dream holiday" in the Dominican Republic have been approved by the high court.Damages for 60 children, from babies to teenagers, who fell ill from food poisoning while on a supposed "dream holiday" in the Dominican Republic have been approved by the high court.
The children and their families are among 409 British holidaymakers awarded £1.9m by their holiday company six years after a stay at a luxury Caribbean resort.The children and their families are among 409 British holidaymakers awarded £1.9m by their holiday company six years after a stay at a luxury Caribbean resort.
The holidaymakers were struck down by a series of severe gastric illnesses, including salmonella, contracted at the four-star Bahia Principe resort in San Juan. The illnesses ruined breaks including weddings, honeymoons and birthday celebrations.The holidaymakers were struck down by a series of severe gastric illnesses, including salmonella, contracted at the four-star Bahia Principe resort in San Juan. The illnesses ruined breaks including weddings, honeymoons and birthday celebrations.
The settlement makes the holiday giant First Choice, part of Europe's largest tour operator, TUI Travel, the last company to settle cases for more than 400 of its customers, who were represented by the solicitors Irwin Mitchell.The settlement makes the holiday giant First Choice, part of Europe's largest tour operator, TUI Travel, the last company to settle cases for more than 400 of its customers, who were represented by the solicitors Irwin Mitchell.
Although the settlement was agreed out of court, it had to be rubber-stamped in the high court because children were involved. It follows settlements of over £3.5m four years ago for 500 holidaymakers who had stayed at the same hotel at the same time with Thomas Cook and My Travel.Although the settlement was agreed out of court, it had to be rubber-stamped in the high court because children were involved. It follows settlements of over £3.5m four years ago for 500 holidaymakers who had stayed at the same hotel at the same time with Thomas Cook and My Travel.
First Choice agreed to settle the cases of 409 of its customers for £1.9m. That sum included settling claims for 60 children. The sums awarded to the children were approved by a judge sitting in the high court, in London, on Wednesday. Thomson (which is also part of the TUI group) settled 44 similar cases last December for nearly £200,000.First Choice agreed to settle the cases of 409 of its customers for £1.9m. That sum included settling claims for 60 children. The sums awarded to the children were approved by a judge sitting in the high court, in London, on Wednesday. Thomson (which is also part of the TUI group) settled 44 similar cases last December for nearly £200,000.
The holidaymakers were struck down by serious illnesses including potentially fatal salmonella, shigella and campylobacter at the resort, on the north-east coast of the island, in 2007. At one stage, guests were ferried to hospital in a fleet of ambulances.The holidaymakers were struck down by serious illnesses including potentially fatal salmonella, shigella and campylobacter at the resort, on the north-east coast of the island, in 2007. At one stage, guests were ferried to hospital in a fleet of ambulances.
The deal means a total of 963 Irwin Mitchell clients who stayed at the hotel in 2007 have received over £5.5m in compensation from Thomas Cook & My Travel, First Choice and Thomson. The law firm also secured a substantial settlement for more than 100 guests who fell ill at the same hotel in 1997, and has successfully acted for holidaymakers who fell ill there in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010; it continues to act for clients who fell ill at the hotel in 2009 and 2012.The deal means a total of 963 Irwin Mitchell clients who stayed at the hotel in 2007 have received over £5.5m in compensation from Thomas Cook & My Travel, First Choice and Thomson. The law firm also secured a substantial settlement for more than 100 guests who fell ill at the same hotel in 1997, and has successfully acted for holidaymakers who fell ill there in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010; it continues to act for clients who fell ill at the hotel in 2009 and 2012.
Clive Garner, a partner and head of the international travel law team at Irwin Mitchell, said: "The long history of guests suffering illness at this hotel makes grim reading. There have been problems at the hotel on and off for 10 years in the lead-up to the 2007 outbreak, and we are still receiving complaints from guests five years after that dreadful outbreak."Clive Garner, a partner and head of the international travel law team at Irwin Mitchell, said: "The long history of guests suffering illness at this hotel makes grim reading. There have been problems at the hotel on and off for 10 years in the lead-up to the 2007 outbreak, and we are still receiving complaints from guests five years after that dreadful outbreak."
First Choice said it was unable to comment on settlements.First Choice said it was unable to comment on settlements.
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