Food Poisoning Abroad and Compensation Claims

Due to cheap package holiday deals and the all inclusive package option, many people decide to eat in their hotel restaurant when they are abroad and do not venture out to local restaurants. Holiday makers may feel that this is the safer option as the food served in the hotel is what they are used to and therefore less likely to result in a compensation claim. However, hotel restaurants and cruise ships are common places of food poisoning outbreaks which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and loss of enjoyment of your holiday. If you have suffered from this type of illness you may be entitled to bring a compensation claim against your tour operator.

Food poisoning usually happens because of poor hygiene in the kitchens of the hotel restaurants and therefore hotels can find themselves being liable in a compensation claim. Poor hygiene includes staff not washing hands or cooking equipment properly and cross contamination of foods. Therefore holiday makers may become ill due to the e-coli bacteria which is found in meats and dairy foods but is removed due to cooking. Another type of bacteria which can cause food poisoning is salmonella which is found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk and meat and again can be killed by cooking.

Another reason for holidaymakers suffering from upset stomachs is due to eating food which has been washed or cooked in the local water which is unsafe to drink. Holidaymakers may not think of this when eating in hotel restaurants but it is better to avoid fresh fruit and vegetables unless they have been washed in bottled water.

Compensation claims may be able to be brought for the pain and suffering caused from the food poisoning and also for loss of enjoyment of the holiday.

If you have suffered from food poisoning on holiday, even if you are unsure whether you would be able to bring a compensation claim against your tour operator, contact our No Win No Fee lawyers today on 0800 0287828 and we can investigate matters for you.