Giardiasis Poisoning
Compensation Claims

If giardiasis poisoning has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Giardiasis, an infection caused by waterborne parasites, is often linked to contaminated water sources in public facilities or travel destinations.

If you have been affected by giardiasis poisoning, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for medical treatment, loss of income, and the condition's prolonged health impact.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

With 4,000 giardiasis cases every year, you are not alone

There are approximately 4,000 laboratory-confirmed giardiasis cases each year in the UK (cambridge.org). Over 100 new cases in 2022-23 required hospital admission, according to NHS England.

Giardiasis poisoning is caused by drinking water that has been infected by the giardia parasite, by eating food such as fruit or vegetables that have not been properly washed. The main symptom of such an infection is severe diarrhoea.

Children are particularly vulnerable, as they are significantly less able to cope with a loss of fluids and dehydration.

If you or a member of your family were infected by the negligence of a hotel, restaurant or another party, you may be able to claim compensation.

If you need information on giardiasis symptoms and treatment, see: Giardiasis Poisoning (nhs.uk).

Read more:

Holiday illness compensation claims

How much compensation can I claim for giardiasis poisoning?

The amount of compensation you can claim for giardiasis poisoning depends on:

• the degree of your illness,
• the impact of your illness on your daily life and ability to work,
• any financial expenses or losses you?ve had due to your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages is compensation for quantifiable financial losses you've incurred as a result of your giardiasis poisoning Compensation can include loss of wages, commission and any other income income, and any additional expenses directly related to your injury.

These damages will also cover any medical or treatment bills, such as antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medication, rehydration and monitoring.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Am I entitled to make a giardiasis poisoning claim?

In general, you can claim compensation if you were hurt:

• within the last 3 years, and;
• another person was to blame, and;
• that person owed you a duty of care.

Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.

What if I was partly to blame?

Liability for an accident often involves fault on both sides.

In our recent 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents thought they could be partially to blame for their accident.

The legal term for cases where an injured person was (to some extent) responsible for their injuries is 'contributory negligence'. If there is fault on both sides of a claim, it is possible to pay reduced compensation on a split liability agreement.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

How long do I have to claim giardiasis poisoning compensation?

An injury claim will usually need to be made within 3 years of the date or your accident or injury.

If you were not immediately aware that you were harmed by someone else's negligence, the 3-year time limit runs from the date you were diagnosed and became aware of what caused your injury or illness.

For injured children, a claim can be started by a parent or guardian at any time before they turn 18. Thereafter, the injured individual has until their 21st birthday to make a claim on their own.

Who is at risk of Giardiasis poisoning?

Quittance's solicitors have assisted with claims for food poisoning compensation for holidaymakers, and infection can be caused under a range of circumstances:

• Travellers outside the UK - The water in the UK is generally free of the giardia parasite, thanks to strict rules governing water safety. Some countries do not have stringent processes to ensure that tap water is safe to drink.
• Campers and hikers - The Giardiasis-causing parasite can survive for several months in cold water, making lakes, rivers and streams potential sources of infection.
• Parents and child carers - Young children are particularly at risk of infection and the giardiasis can be transmitted from waste and spread rapidly.

See: Giardiasis (nhs.uk)

How would I know if I have been exposed to Giardiasis?

There will not be any immediate signs or symptoms.

When the parasite is first contracted, it will be between 9 and 14 days before you notice any effects. This can make it difficult to identify the source of the contamination if infection occurs during or soon after a holiday abroad.

If you have any concerns that you may have contracted giardiasis, you should visit a medical unit as soon as possible. The doctor can diagnose you based on the analysis of a stool sample, and can then prescribe treatment.

Your medical records will also provide valuable evidence should you decide to claim.

What should you do if you have experienced Giardiasis poisoning?

The most important action to take is to seek treatment from a qualified medical professional. Symptoms can worsen without treatment, and lead to serious, long-term health issues.

After diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe metronidazole. The treatment will usually last for a week, and is intended to destroy the Giardiasis parasite.

Maintaining a very high standard of hygiene is particularly important during and after treatment. You should wash your hands thoroughly and particularly before eating. You should also ensure that family members or others do not come into contact with your bedding, towels and clothes.

Whilst you are still displaying symptoms, your doctor is likely to recommend that you should not have any contact with work or school.

Determining who was responsible for your infection

If you have experienced Giardiasis poisoning while abroad, or symptoms develop soon after you return to the UK, it is possible that someone else was responsible. The responsible party could be your travel provider, your hotel, or a provider of food and drinks, such as a shop, café or restaurant.

If you have contracted the infection because of the negligence of someone else, it is likely that you will have a case for claiming compensation, but claiming for illnesses abroad can sometimes be complex.

The panel of solicitors have dealt with several cases involving food and water poisoning. They can help you to get compensation for the pain and disruption arising from the infection, including additional costs arising from treatment.

What affects the process when claiming for giardiasis poisoning?

How your giardiasis was caused will determine the claims process. Click the icons below for more information.

Work accidents Public places Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director

About the author

Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.