Child hospitalised with gastroenteritis at Titanic Royal, Hurghada – what are your legal rights?

Holiday Lawyers • February 9, 2026

HolidayLawyers.co.uk has now been instructed by a family who stayed at the Titanic Royal Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, between 21 and 28 January 2026.


During the holiday, several members of the family became unwell with symptoms consistent with gastroenteritis, with one child requiring hospital treatment.


The family report multiple concerns about food hygiene and cleanliness at the hotel. They also noticed a number of other guests who appeared to be suffering from similar symptoms, suggesting the illness may not have been an isolated incident.


When a family holiday turns into a medical emergency


Gastroenteritis on holiday can escalate quickly, especially in young children. Symptoms often include:


• Severe diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Fever

• Dehydration


Where a child is affected, dehydration can become serious within hours. Hospital treatment is sometimes required for intravenous fluids, monitoring, medication, and infection control. What should have been a relaxing family holiday can instead become a traumatic experience involving foreign hospitals, unexpected costs, and long-term health concerns.


Common causes of hotel illness in Egypt


Holiday illness claims typically arise from:


• Poor food hygiene in buffet areas

• Undercooked or improperly stored food

• Cross-contamination between raw and cooked items

• Unclean plates, utensils, or glasses

• Contaminated water or ice

• Poor sanitation in kitchens or public areas


Where multiple guests report or display similar symptoms, this can indicate a systemic hygiene failure rather than an isolated incident.


Experience in serious holiday illness cases in Egypt


The lead solicitor at Holiday Lawyers has extensive experience in complex international illness claims.


• Represented families who have lost loved ones in Egypt following food poisoning and bacterial infections

• Acted in numerous serious illness cases involving Egyptian resorts

• Recovered millions of pounds in compensation for clients affected by severe holiday illness in Egypt


He has also acted in major illness outbreaks in destinations such as Cape Verde, where widespread hygiene failures led to large numbers of guests becoming unwell. Many of the same systemic issues are commonly seen in cases arising from Egyptian resorts.


Can you claim compensation for holiday illness?


If your holiday was booked as a package holiday with a UK tour operator, you may be able to bring a claim under the Package Travel Regulations.


You may be entitled to compensation for:


• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment

• Medical expenses

• Loss of holiday value

• Travel disruption

• Ongoing symptoms or complications

• Psychological impact, especially where a child was hospitalised


Importantly, claims are usually brought against the UK tour operator, not the foreign hotel.


Evidence that helps a gastroenteritis claim


If you or your family were ill on holiday, the following evidence can strengthen a claim:


• Medical records (UK or abroad)

• Hospital discharge notes

• Photographs of food or hygiene issues

• Complaints made to the hotel or tour operator

• Booking confirmations and travel documents

• Statements from other affected guests


Time limits for bringing a claim


For most package holiday illness claims, the usual time limit is three years from the date of illness. It is best to seek advice as early as possible while evidence is fresh.


Speak to a specialist holiday illness solicitor


At HolidayLawyers.co.uk, we focus on serious and complex holiday illness claims, including cases involving hospitalised children, large family outbreaks, resort-wide illness incidents, and high-value or fatal cases.



If your family suffered illness at a hotel abroad, you may have a strong claim for compensation. Contact HolidayLawyers.co.uk today for a free, no-obligation assessment.

Holiday lawyers instructed in royalton cancun e. coli food poisoning claim against tui

By Holiday Lawyers • February 16, 2026
Holiday Lawyers has been formally instructed by a client who suffered severe food poisoning at the Royalton Hotel, Cancun, Mexico, during a package holiday booked with TUI. Severe illness at Royalton hotel, Cancun Our client travelled to Mexico on 26 December 2024 as part of a package holiday arranged by TUI. During their stay at the Royalton Hotel in Cancun, they developed acute gastrointestinal illness after eating at one of the hotel’s restaurants. The illness escalated rapidly. Our client required hospitalisation in Mexico, incurring significant medical expenses. Despite being seriously unwell, they were allegedly refused assistance by TUI representatives when requesting an earlier return flight to the UK. Upon returning home, UK medical investigations confirmed E. coli and a bacterial infection, with ongoing gastrointestinal complications continuing months later. Our client has also experienced anxiety and stress directly linked to the incident. The seriousness of e. coli infections E. coli infections are not minor stomach bugs. In severe cases they can lead to kidney complications, long-term gastrointestinal disorders, post-infectious IBS, sepsis, and permanent health damage. Holiday Lawyers has acted for clients and their families who have suffered devastating consequences from E. coli outbreaks — including cases where individuals have been left with life-altering complications and, in the most serious instances, have tragically lost their lives. These cases require careful handling, specialist medical evidence, and a firm understanding of tour operator liability. Tui offer rejected TUI have already made an offer of compensation. That offer was rejected. It did not adequately reflect the severity of the illness, the hospitalisation abroad, ongoing symptoms, financial losses, or the distress and disruption caused.  We are now pursuing the matter formally under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

Rising health and hygiene concerns in Cape Verde hotels

By Holiday Lawyers • February 2, 2026
Cape Verde has long been a popular destination for British holidaymakers seeking year‑round sunshine. However, in recent years there has been a growing number of reports of serious illness linked to hotels and resorts across the islands. At Holidaylawyers, we have personally visited and inspected a number of hotels in Cape Verde and observed several health and hygiene issues that raise genuine concerns about guest safety. Reports of illness among UK holidaymakers Numerous travellers have reported gastric illness, infections and hospitalisation following stays in Cape Verde resorts. In some cases, illnesses have been linked to poor food hygiene, sanitation concerns and unsafe food preparation practices. Large group claims are now being pursued by British tourists who suffered illness after staying in several well‑known hotels, highlighting the scale of the issue. What Holidaylawyers observed on inspection During on‑site inspections, Holidaylawyers identified a number of potential hygiene failings including: • Poor food handling and temperature control • Risks of cross‑contamination in kitchen areas • Inconsistent cleaning of communal facilities • Sanitation issues in guest areas These observations mirror many of the complaints made by holidaymakers who became unwell after their stay. Your legal rights after illness abroad If you suffered food poisoning or illness while staying in a Cape Verde hotel booked through a UK tour operator, you may be entitled to bring a compensation claim. Tour operators have a legal duty to ensure accommodation meets reasonable health and safety standards. Where failures occur, affected travellers can seek damages for pain, suffering, medical costs and loss of enjoyment. Speak to Holidaylawyers Holidaylawyers specialises in holiday illness and hotel hygiene claims. Our team has first‑hand experience inspecting overseas hotels and holding tour operators accountable for unsafe conditions. If you or a family member fell ill after a holiday in Cape Verde, contact Holidaylawyers for expert advice.