Holidaymakers consult solicitors over alleged food poisoning

Posted 25/02/2010

Hundreds of holidaymakers who claim they suffered personal injury and distress at a hotel in the Dominican Republic are taking legal action against their tour operator.

Some 409 people have sought advice from their solicitors after becoming the victims of an alleged food poisoning outbreak at the Bahia Principe Hotel in San Juan in summer 2007.

They say First Choice is to blame for failing to provide food and drink which was satisfactory and safe to consume, with the tourists complaining that meals were undercooked and the accommodation was filthy.

It is also alleged that after up to 1,000 people fell ill, hotel staff simply left piles of vomit in the restaurant and traces of faeces in the swimming pool.

After it was revealed that clients of Thomas Cook affected by the illness at the same hotel had received a collective £3.5 million in compensation, the First Choice customers also decided to launch claims.

It is estimated that the tour operator could be forced to foot a similar bill.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that up to 30 people are suing Thomson amid claims of food poisoning at one of the hotels it uses in Tenerife.