[size=55:2ab2rxyx]Fulham Chronicle 28 October 2010

Family Sue over Horror Bulgarian Holiday



A family are taking a major holiday company to court after a 'holiday from hell' in Bulgaria left them stricken with a potentially fatal infection.

The Burkett's – mother Sonya, 56, daughter Stacey, 27, and her two children Thayia, four, and Tyler, two – saved for more than a year to book a two-week stay at the Royal Park Hotel through First Choice in September 2008.

But the family, of Townmead Road, were soon plunged into a holiday nightmare after they came down with the dangerous Shigella food poisoning strain at the controversial hotel in the Elenite resort.

It was particularly dangerous for Stacey who was seven months pregnant with her youngest child at the time.

Without the money to pay for early flights home or switch hotels, the Burkett's were forced to endure a frightening fortnight.

Mrs Burkett said: "
My daughter was expecting her second child so we thought it would be the last time we could get away for while.

"
We saved for the holiday and were really looking forward to it. It was terrible from the moment we walked in.

"
The rooms were disgusting and it looked like a prison cell. But it was not until we went for the food that we knew we were in trouble.
"
Everything was revolting and we ended up having to eat crisps for the whole time. But then we all got really sick and had terrible diarrhoea. It was really scary and our worst nightmare."


The family had contracted Shigella, a bacteria infection linked to salmonella and can cause seizures and arthritis in extreme cases, through poor hygiene and food standards.

In total, 276 holidaymakers who stayed at the hotel through First Choice between June and October 2008 were struck down by the bug.

All are being represented by personal injury law firm Irwin Mitchell in a bid for compensation after First Choice offers were refused by guests.

The specialist lawyers won similar settlements for 95 people who stayed at the Royal Park in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Mrs Burkett said: "
It is scary to think this has been going on for so long. We were not told about this by First Choice and had no support while we were out there.

"
We just want to raise awareness for people to be careful. If we get back the cost of our holiday then I will be happy."


Clive Garner, who heads the travel law team at Irwin Mitchell, said: "
Many of our clients have told us that they were unable to obtain medical treatment in resort as the queues at the clinic were so long because of the number of guests seeking medical treatment for illness.

"
The failures that occurred at this hotel were very serious indeed and should not be tolerated. First Choice's denial of liability and refusal to apologise and voluntarily compensate our clients is breathtaking."


A First Choice spokesman said: "
First Choice would like to take this opportunity to assure all its customers that we closely audit all the hotels to which we operate to ensure that health, safety, hygiene and comfort levels are maintained.

"
For this reason, package holidays offer the most wide-ranging health and safety measures available and therefore continue to be the safest and most protected way for customers to take holidays.

"
The company monitors all the properties to which it operates. As part of this continual review, we can confirm that the Royal Park Hotel no longer features in the First Choice programme."

Are First Choice raving bonkers?

They send people to this hotel in 2004, 2005 and 2007, all of whom get the same poisoning and yet continue to use this hotel?

It was only 95 people, Chris - they probably thought no-one would notice

Chris wrote:

Are First Choice raving bonkers?

They send people to this hotel in 2004, 2005 and 2007, all of whom get the same poisoning and yet continue to use this hotel?

Isn't this normally a Bulgarian mentality

Makes you wonder about these companies

Perhaps they should have a new name LAST CHOICE :: ::

3 years of this yet they say they monitor these places .conjures al-sorts up in my mind but it can be said I am always the sceptical one

We have always found these big hotels in no way friendly and just cannot be bothered with customers. We like to be nosy and get to know everyone chat with the staff etc but in the various hotels we stay in Sunny Beach that was quite difficult - We now feel we would be better off booking a family run or small hotel should we ever go to Sunny Beach again . You get better service and have as well as having a stress free holiday.

Oddy

Chris wrote:

Are First Choice raving bonkers?

They send people to this hotel in 2004, 2005 and 2007, all of whom get the same poisoning and yet continue to use this hotel?

It make you wonder Chris why they do this but I think we all really know why ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

First Choice yuk

We had the mis-fortune to use them once a trip to Portugal. Flights cr*p, hotel cr*p. The plane was so un-comfortable :shock:Packed in like sardines. Leg room what leg room. We complained to the rep, and all we got was 'Its the end of the season what do you expect' Value for money said I and all we got was a shrug of the shoulders.

If you are over 50 then stay in the UK at a Warner Adult Hotel. At least you might get a mug of Horlicks b4 bed time

And I bet the crisps weren't Walker's cheese and onion or salt and vinegar either! That would of upset me too!!! Mladost Sunny beach do salt and vinegar occasionally but SHHHUSSSHHH!!! Mum's the word!!!

A very valid point about the crisps ABC I wonder if they remembered to put a claim in for them

You need a receipt to claim with.We don't have them in Bulgaria!

[size=45:g7hwyrug]novinite

Disgruntled Britons Win Compensations after 'Holiday in Hell' in Bulgaria

TUI UK faces paying hundreds of thousands pounds in compensation to 138 holidaymakers who fell ill after staying at a Bulgarian hotel.

The settlement, which was reached after a five-year group action, insures that GBP 300,000 in costs will be paid.

TUI admitted liability just before a two-week trial was due to begin at Birmingham County Court on Monday.

The operator said: "
Thomson can confirm that it reached a settlement on four cases brought by a firm of 'no-win no fee' lawyers, regarding the Riu Miramar in Bulgaria.

"
A settlement for the majority of cases in the action had already been reached a couple of months ago."


The company added: "
The health and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance to Thomson.

"
We are concerned to learn of any alleged illness or disappointment in any of our properties and can confirm that we no longer operate to the Riu Miramar.

"
A number of the claims in the action are outstanding and as the matter in question is still currently subject to legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate of us to comment any further at this time so as not to prejudice future court decisions."


Guests at the four-star Riu Miramar hotel in Obzor, Bulgaria, say they had to wade through mud and silt to get to reception, faced poor food hygiene, and reported seeing frogs hopping around.

Some of the holidaymakers, including some children, say they are still suffering from symptoms of their illnesses today.

Great advert for BG:

"
If you can't get poisoned in your own country, pay for a trip to BG and we'll ensure you end your stay in a hospital"


Gotta love it guys 'n gals and remember to tune in later. Jimmy says stay safe and abide by the Green Cross Code.