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Jim and his wife went on a camping holiday package trip to France in 2015. Approximately one week after using the showers at a previous caravan site, he began to feel dizzy after playing golf. He developed a fever while beginning to feel unsteady on his feet and overnight his condition worsened, the next day paramedics were called to the site as his body temperature was dangerously high.
After being rushed to hospital in France, he was quickly diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and pneumonia and treated with intravenous antibiotics while his body was packed in ice to reduce his temperature. He was kept in hospital for just under a week and discharged with prescribed analgesia and antibiotics.
On returning to the UK, Jim continued to experience shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. He continued his work as a self-employed consultant which entailed driving long distances combined with extensive factory tours. However, his condition meant it was impossible to maintain this activity to the same extent he had done prior to the illness and consequently suffered a significant reduction in earnings. The effects of the illness also took a psychological toll as he struggled to enjoy his hobbies of golf and painting with the same vigour as before falling ill. Consequently his wife had an increased burden with shopping and household tasks and amongst other things the couple had to employ a gardener.
Legal Advice
Jim sought legal advice and our travel law specialist Tracy Stansfield took him through the steps of the process and submitted a letter of claim under the package travel regulations.
Unravelling the impact of a holiday illness requires expertise and support. The Holiday Claims Bureau is here to guide you through the process. Call us at 0161 813 2131 or initiate your claim online.
The Defendant did not admit liability and tried to argue that the claim was not subject to the industry package regulations. Tracy worked hard to set out the legal basis of the claim and communicated regularly with Jim, ensuring that extensive specialist medical evidence was obtained and producing a comprehensive schedule of all the losses he had incurred. We subsequently issued formal legal proceedings through the Court, and negotiated a settlement with the Defendant solicitor that took account of the pain and suffering caused by Jim’s illness, as well as his other losses.
Tracy says, “We were delighted to secure damages of £65,000 for Jim. A condition like Legionnaires’ disease can have a very serious effect on day-to-day life for those affected. Jim’ s domestic, social and work life were all impaired and we made sure that all these aspects, including lost earnings, care and assistance, paid help and travel expenses were taken into account in our negotiations with the other side.”
“Among the best I’ve worked with”
Jim says that he investigated his options carefully before instructing a firm of solicitors:
“After extensive research to find the right type of support for my case I met with Tracy Stansfield who I found to be extremely professional in explaining the process in detail and exactly what would be required to meet with a successful outcome. I found JPS Walker Solicitors to be very well suited to dealing with such a complex claim and Tracy in particular extremely diligent, understanding of the seriousness of my condition, guiding me through each stage of the process and dogged in her pursuit of achieving the maximum claim possible. I have met and worked with highly skilled professionals both in the course of my life and my work and I believe that Tracy is amongst the best I’ve worked with.”
Holiday Claims Bureau are Legionnaires Disease claim specialists.
If your package break has been affected by illness, our expert team could help you make a No Win, No Fee claim for compensation. Speak to our team today on 0161 813 2131 or use our contact form.
