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.

HolidayLawyers Continues to Be Instructed by Holidaymakers Following Reports of Gastrointestinal Illness at Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun

By Holiday Lawyers • June 26, 2026
HolidayLawyers continues to be instructed by holidaymakers who report suffering serious gastrointestinal illness during stays at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun in early 2026. We have now received a number of enquiries from guests describing strikingly similar symptoms, with some requiring hospital treatment in Mexico and others becoming seriously unwell after returning home. As further enquiries continue to be received, we are investigating whether these illnesses formed part of a wider outbreak. Holidaymakers Report Serious Illness During Their Stay One of the latest clients to instruct HolidayLawyers stayed at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun between 31 January and 7 February 2026. During the holiday, the client became so seriously unwell that, after being examined by the hotel's doctor, an ambulance was called to transport them to Hospiten Cancun. They were diagnosed with gastroenteritis and received treatment before being discharged. The client reports that numerous other guests at the hotel were also suffering from similar symptoms during the same period, with several allegedly requiring hospital treatment. Illness Continued After Returning Home The same client also reports that their partner became seriously unwell during the return flight to the United Kingdom. Cabin crew sought assistance from a doctor travelling onboard the aircraft and, upon landing, the passenger was taken directly to East Surrey Hospital. The partner was subsequently diagnosed with gastroenteritis. HolidayLawyers has been provided with medical records, hospital documentation and photographs in support of the claim. Reports Suggest a Wider Outbreak HolidayLawyers has now received multiple enquiries from guests who report becoming unwell during stays at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun over the same period. Clients have also referred us to social media groups in which numerous guests describe experiencing similar symptoms. We have further been informed that a flight returning to Canada carrying guests from the hotel was reportedly met by ambulances after a number of passengers became seriously ill. These reports are currently being investigated. At this stage, they remain allegations and no findings have been made as to the cause of the illnesses. Hotel Offered Marriott Bonvoy Points The latest client has informed HolidayLawyers that, after complaining directly to the hotel, they were offered 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as compensation. The offer was declined. If you have received vouchers, loyalty points or another form of goodwill gesture following illness during your holiday, it is sensible to obtain independent legal advice before accepting any offer, as doing so could affect your legal position. What Should You Do If You Became Ill? If you experienced sickness, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps or other gastrointestinal symptoms during your stay at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, or shortly after returning home, you should: Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Keep copies of all medical records and prescriptions. Retain photographs of your symptoms where appropriate. Keep your booking confirmation and travel documents. Save receipts for any expenses incurred. Retain correspondence with the hotel or tour operator. If possible, obtain and retain the results of any stool sample or laboratory testing. Could You Be Entitled to Compensation? Where illness has been caused by contaminated food, contaminated water or inadequate hygiene standards at a hotel, holidaymakers may be entitled to claim compensation for: Pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Medical expenses. Loss of earnings. Care and assistance. Loss of enjoyment of the holiday. Other financial losses arising from the illness. Each claim will depend upon its own facts and the available medical and factual evidence. Contact HolidayLawyers HolidayLawyers continues to investigate reports of gastrointestinal illness affecting guests who stayed at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun during this period.  If you or a member of your family became unwell during your stay, or shortly after returning home, please contact our specialist holiday illness solicitors for a free, no obligation assessment of your potential claim.

Holidaymakers Instructed Following Salmonella In Caribbean

By Holiday Lawyers • June 11, 2026
Holiday Lawyers was recently instructed by the family of a holidaymaker who became seriously ill with Salmonella towards the end of a Caribbean holiday. Although he returned to the UK, he continued to suffer significant symptoms and remains affected by ongoing food intolerances and skin conditions which are likely linked to the original infection. Unfortunately, cases like this are far more common than many people realise. Whilst many people think of food poisoning as a short lived illness, the reality can be very different. Salmonella and other bacterial infections can cause severe dehydration, hospitalisation and prolonged periods of illness. In some cases, the consequences can continue for months, years or even permanently. We regularly act for clients who develop post infective IBS, food intolerances, chronic fatigue, reactive arthritis, skin conditions and other long term complications following an acute gastric illness contracted abroad. What If The Tour Operator Rejects Your Claim? One of the biggest misconceptions in holiday illness litigation is that a rejected claim means there is no claim. In our experience, many strong claims begin with a denial of liability. Tour operators frequently argue that the illness was contracted on an excursion, that it was not reported to the hotel, or that there is insufficient evidence linking the illness to the holiday accommodation. These arguments are extremely common and, in many cases, can be successfully challenged. Holiday Lawyers has recovered millions of pounds in compensation for holidaymakers whose claims were initially rejected. An early denial is often simply the starting position adopted by the tour operator rather than a reflection of the true merits of the claim. Why Experience Matters In Salmonella Claims Holiday illness cases sit at the intersection of law, medicine and microbiology. Our team has decades of experience handling Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella and other food poisoning claims throughout the world. We have extensive experience of the hotels, resorts and destinations where these claims arise and understand the practical realities behind many outbreaks. We also work closely with leading microbiologists and medical experts. Understanding incubation periods is often critical. The timing of symptoms can provide powerful evidence regarding where an infection was most likely contracted and can frequently undermine the explanations advanced by tour operators and their insurers. Where a stool sample confirms a pathogen such as Salmonella, it can be extremely difficult for a tour operator to escape liability if the wider evidence points towards the holiday as the source of infection. However, the absence of a positive stool sample does not mean there is no claim. Many people are never tested, whilst others are tested after the infection has passed through their system. In those cases, experienced microbiologists can often identify the most likely infection by analysing the symptoms, severity, duration of illness and incubation periods involved. Our founder, Aman Dhillon, has acted in some of the most significant holiday illness claims brought before the courts, including claims arising from the Grand Hotel outbreak in Italy, where holidaymakers suffered devastating illnesses and, tragically, some individuals lost their lives.  If your holiday illness claim has been rejected, or if you have suffered Salmonella, food poisoning or gastric illness whilst abroad, contact Holiday Lawyers for a free assessment. We have helped thousands of holidaymakers recover millions of pounds in compensation and would be delighted to help.