Shigellosis
Compensation Claims

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

Shigellosis claims focus on the impact of this severe gastrointestinal condition, including recovery from the acute phase and any lasting health effects.

If you have been affected by shigellosis, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

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

With over 2 million cases of food poisoning each year, you are not alone

Shigellosis is a type of bacterial food poisoning contracted through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Shigella bacteria is a common cause of food poisoning on holiday, typically experienced by holidaymakers returning from emerging holiday destinations where food safety standards may be lower.

Around 1,800 cases of shigellosis are reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) each year. Most cases of shigellosis are not reported to a doctor so this figure represents only a fraction of the actual number of people infected with the shigella bacteria.

An estimated 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occur every year in the UK (food.gov.uk).

If you are diagnosed with shigella dysentery on holiday, or after a holiday, you may be entitled to make a claim against your tour operator.

If you decide to make a shigellosis claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you need information on food poisoning symptoms and treatment, visit: food poisoning (nhs.uk).

See also:

Holiday illness and injury claims

How much compensation can I claim for shigellosis?

Compensation for shigellosis is dependent on:

• the severity of your illness,
• how your illness disrupts your life and work,
• any financial burdens or costs arising from 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 awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your shigellosis or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.

Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include rehydration, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medication and monitoring.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average shigellosis general damages compensation table

The following shigellosis payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Abdominal injury

Digestive problems

Am I eligible for shigellosis compensation?

You should be entitled to shigellosis compensation if your injury resulted from the negligence or actions of another person or organisation, or from an accident that was not your fault.

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.

How long do I have to claim shigellosis compensation?

In most cases, you have up to 3 years from the date of your accident or injury to start a claim.

If your injury or illness is not immediately apparent, the 3-year time limit starts from the date that you injury or illness was diagnosed and your were informed of the likely caused.

For an injured child, the three-year limitation period begins on their 18th birthday, giving them until they are 21 to start a claim.

What is shigellosis?

Shigella is a bacteria found in:

• Local tap water that does not meet safety standards
• Food, especially meat, that has been exposed to human faeces as a result of sub-optimal food hygiene
• Food that has been left out too long or is exposed to insect and other contamination
• Unchlorinated swimming pools.

Exposure to shigella bacteria causes shigellosis, a type of dysentery. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever.

In the majority of cases, shigellosis will clear up by itself within one to 14 days. Medical attention may be necessary for patients who are at risk of dehydration through persistent dysentery, such as children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Occasionally, shigellosis can cause long-term gastrointestinal problems including irritable bowel syndrome and rectal bleeding.

Getting an independent medical assessment of the potential long-term effects of shigellosis is a crucial step in the claims process. This ensures the maximum appropriate level of compensation is claimed having regard to the long-term prognosis for the condition.

Who is at risk of contracting shigella dysentery?

The prevalence of shigellosis is significantly higher among holidaymakers taking confined-hotel holidays in emerging holiday destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Cuba, the Cape Verde Islands and the Dominican Republic. However, shigella dysentery may be contracted anywhere in the UK or abroad.

Crowded hotels pose a particular risk. This is because shigella is highly infectious at very small quantities. One contracted, the illness can spread rapidly from person to person either directly or via contact with toilets, door handles and taps which have been contaminated with infected fecal matter.

How the cause of your shigellosis affects the claims process

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

Public places Work accidents Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.