A young British holidaymaker, Lawrence Pahollaria, 12, contracted sepsis after a family holiday at a four-star resort in Egypt with tour operator easyJet. During their stay at a hotel in Hurghada, Lawrence’s family experienced gastric symptoms. Upon returning to North London, Lawrence fell seriously ill with vomiting and diarrhoea, leading to a diagnosis of sepsis and salmonella after a visit to A&E. Lawrence received intravenous antibiotics and fluids, spending five days in hospital, with his mum, Trudi Law, expressing her terror upon learning about his sepsis diagnosis.
Trudi, Lawrence’s mother, recalled the family’s holiday experience, revealing that on day four of their stay, she and Lawrence’s sister, Florianna, started showing symptoms of gastric illness. Trudi sought medical assistance at the hotel’s medical centre, where antibiotics were prescribed for her, while Lawrence’s father, Fatmir, also developed similar symptoms. Trudi highlighted concerns about the cleanliness and standards of the hotel, expressing regret at not insisting on relocating to a different hotel.
Trudi has now engaged lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the family’s ordeal. Solicitor Sarita Sharma emphasised the severity of Lawrence’s illness and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent similar incidents in the future. The legal team encouraged anyone else who stayed at the same hotel and can provide information to come forward. An easyJet spokesperson affirmed their commitment to customer health and safety but refrained from further comment due to the legal nature of the case.
Lawrence’s case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with gastric illnesses during travel and the potential complications such as sepsis. Trudi’s decision to seek legal recourse underscores the need for accountability and improved standards in the hospitality industry to safeguard the well-being of holidaymakers. Lawrence’s family hopes for answers and awareness following their distressing experience to prevent others from enduring similar health complications while on holiday.