Yet another serious illness claim arising from TUI holidays in Cape Verde

Holiday Lawyers • April 16, 2026

Holiday Lawyers continue to be instructed by clients who have suffered serious gastrointestinal illness following package holidays to Cape Verde. This latest instruction reflects a pattern seen repeatedly: holidaymakers returning to the UK with confirmed infections such as Shigella and Campylobacter, often linked to failures in food hygiene and sanitation standards within resort environments.


As one of the firm’s solicitors explains, “we are continuing to see a consistent stream of clients returning from Cape Verde with very similar illnesses, which raises real concerns about hygiene standards at a number of resorts.”


First-hand investigations into resort standards


Our team has previously taken the step of attending resorts in Cape Verde alongside independent food hygiene experts to assess standards on the ground. Those investigations identified systemic issues capable of causing precisely the type of illnesses now being reported.


Where hygiene practices fall below expected standards, the consequences for holidaymakers can be significant, particularly in all-inclusive environments where exposure is repeated over a number of days.


From acute illness to long-term complications


While many people associate food poisoning with a short-lived illness, the reality can be very different.


In this case, the client not only suffered acute gastrointestinal symptoms but went on to develop Reactive arthritis, a recognised complication following bacterial infections such as Shigella and Campylobacter.


Many holidaymakers remain unaware that an initial infection can lead to longer-term complications, including:


  • Post-infective irritable bowel syndrome
  • Joint pain and inflammation (reactive arthritis)
  • Chronic fatigue and systemic symptoms
  • Skin and autoimmune-related conditions


In more serious cases, these symptoms can persist for months, years, or indefinitely, affecting quality of life and the ability to work.


Our lawyers have acted for numerous clients in this position and have successfully recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages for individuals who developed ongoing symptoms following an initial infection abroad.


Low initial offers from tour operators


A recurring feature in cases of this nature is the early compensation offer made directly by tour operators.


In this instance, a very low offer was made despite clear medical evidence of ongoing complications. Based on our experience, such offers can significantly undervalue claims, particularly where long-term consequences have not yet been fully assessed.


We have seen many cases where initial offers represent only a small proportion of the claim’s true value once expert medical evidence is obtained and the long-term impact is properly understood.


The importance of independent legal advice


Anyone who receives a compensation offer following illness abroad should consider obtaining independent legal advice before accepting it.


An early offer may not:


  • Reflect the full extent of medical evidence
  • Account for long-term complications
  • Include future losses or treatment needs


Holidaymakers are free to seek advice from a solicitor of their choosing, whether through Holiday Lawyers or another independent firm. The key point is that the claim is properly valued before any settlement is agreed.


A continuing pattern


This latest instruction adds to a growing body of claims arising from holidays in Cape Verde. The consistency of reported illnesses and complications suggests an ongoing issue requiring careful scrutiny.



Holiday Lawyers remain available to advise individuals who have suffered illness abroad and to provide an objective assessment of any compensation offer received.

By Holiday Lawyers • September 30, 2026
HolidayLawyers has been instructed by a family who say they were forced to flee for their lives after a wildfire reached their resort on the Croatian island of Brač. The family were staying at the Gava Waterman Milna Resort as part of a Jet2Holidays package between 8 and 15 September 2026. They say wildfires had been visible in the area for several days but guests were repeatedly reassured there was no cause for concern. On the evening of 12 September, however, the situation deteriorated dramatically. The family say power to the hotel was lost shortly after 9.30pm, ash began falling around the resort and large flames became clearly visible nearby. They allege there was no fire alarm, evacuation announcement or organised emergency procedure and that guests were left trying to work out how to escape as staff themselves began leaving the resort. Three members of the family eventually reached a wooden jetty where they say they remained for around an hour before being evacuated by boat. One member of the family says he suffered significant smoke inhalation while helping elderly holidaymakers onto rescue vessels and remained unwell for several days afterwards. The family has now instructed HolidayLawyers to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the warnings and information provided to guests, the evacuation arrangements and the assistance provided by the tour operator and hotel. Growing concerns over wildfire affected holidays HolidayLawyers has been contacted by a number of holidaymakers whose trips have been seriously disrupted by wildfires affecting resorts overseas. With extreme heat and wildfires increasingly affecting popular holiday destinations, the consequences for tourists can be severe. Where holidaymakers find themselves surrounded by smoke, flames or falling debris, or are forced to evacuate without knowing whether they and their families will escape safely, the psychological consequences can also be significant. HolidayLawyers founder and Solicitor Advocate Aman Dhillon said: “Having previously represented passengers and crew following the Costa Concordia disaster, I have seen how the psychological effects of a close escape from a major incident can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. “Wildfires will not necessarily be the fault of a tour operator. The important questions are often what was known, what guests were told, whether appropriate emergency procedures were followed and whether proper assistance was provided when people were placed in danger.” Was your holiday affected by a wildfire? If you were caught in a wildfire, evacuated from your hotel or resort, suffered injury or smoke inhalation, or believe your holiday company failed to provide appropriate assistance during an emergency, HolidayLawyers can advise you on whether you may have a claim . We have decades of experience handling serious international travel claims and have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for thousands of holidaymakers. If your holiday was ruined by a wildfire, contact HolidayLawyers to discuss what happened.
By Holiday Lawyers • September 29, 2026
HolidayLawyers has been contacted by holidaymakers following a guest falling ill during a stay at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia, Tunisia and subsequently being medically diagnosed with salmonella . The guest stayed at the resort from 29 August to 8 September 2026 on an all inclusive package holiday booked through Sunshine.co.uk. Symptoms of gastrointestinal illness began while the guest was still staying at the hotel and continued after their return to the UK on 8 September. Following medical testing, salmonella was confirmed on 16 September 2026 . The illness has also resulted in the guest being unable to return to work, with a consequent loss of earnings. Previous reports of illness at the Nour Palace HolidayLawyers is investigating the circumstances surrounding the illness and has identified previous public reports from guests referring to gastrointestinal symptoms and concerns about food hygiene at the Nour Palace. Some reviews published during 2026 refer to guests suffering vomiting and diarrhoea and raise concerns about food preparation and temperature. Such reports do not establish the cause of an individual guest's illness. They can, however, be relevant when considered alongside medical evidence, the timing of symptoms and any evidence of similar illness affecting other guests. Confirmed salmonella diagnosis A laboratory confirmed diagnosis of salmonella is an important piece of evidence in a holiday illness claim. Our investigation will consider when symptoms began, the incubation period, food and drink consumed during the holiday, whether the guest ate predominantly within the hotel and whether other guests experienced similar symptoms. Where appropriate, evidence can also be sought concerning reported illness at the resort, food hygiene procedures, inspections and relevant health and safety records. Can a package holiday illness claim be made? Where a holiday was sold as a qualifying package, the package organiser may be legally responsible for the proper performance of the holiday services provided. The precise position depends upon the booking arrangements and documentation, which is why we examine documents including the booking confirmation and ATOL certificate at the outset. Where illness has caused additional financial loss, a claim can potentially include losses such as lost earnings , provided they can be supported by appropriate evidence. HolidayLawyers founder Aman Dhillon comments HolidayLawyers founder and Solicitor Advocate Aman Dhillon said: “A confirmed salmonella diagnosis following illness which began during a holiday deserves proper investigation. “We look at the medical evidence, the timing of the illness, what the client ate and drank, whether other guests were affected and the evidence surrounding conditions at the hotel during the relevant period. “The fact that somebody became ill abroad does not by itself establish liability, but where there is a confirmed bacterial infection and symptoms began during the holiday, there can be strong grounds for further investigation.” Salmonella or food poisoning after a holiday in Tunisia? HolidayLawyers specialises in serious holiday illness and accident claims. Our lawyers have decades of experience dealing with international travel litigation and gastrointestinal illness claims involving hotels and resorts overseas. If you stayed at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia , or another hotel in Tunisia, and developed salmonella, gastroenteritis or another significant gastric illness, we can assess the circumstances of your case. We act in appropriate cases under a No Win No Fee agreement , with any potential deductions explained clearly before you decide whether to proceed.  Contact HolidayLawyers for a confidential assessment of your holiday illness claim.