THE number of claims for compensation by clients holidaying in Cancun when Hurricane Wilma struck has risen sharply after the story was highlighted on national television.
ITV’s Tonight with Trevor McDonald reported last month that 200 holidaymakers have launched legal proceedings against the big four tour operators, plus Cosmos and Portland Direct.
Alexander Harris Solicitors, which is handling the claims, said the number of claimants rose by 50% after the programme.
There are now 286 involved and the figure could rise further as news of the action spreads. Some of the claimants have set up websites and are encouraging others stranded by Wilma last October to join in.
They argue they should not have been flown to Cancun in the first place, as the travel companies knew the hurricane was about to strike, and that they were not adequately looked after.
Claims for personal injury and post-traumatic stress are among those lodged by clients who were forced to spend days in makeshift shelters. They are demanding a full refund, additional compensation for loss of enjoyment and expenses.
Solicitor Simon Taylor said: “We believe the clients have a claim as the operators did not fulfil their contract.”
He said the companies involved had received “formal letters of claim” detailing the cases. They have been given until June to investigate the claims and respond.
Taylor acknowledged a range of refunds have been offered to some of those involved, but he said the claims for compensation extended beyond these amounts.
Federation of Tour Operators director general Andy Cooper said the cases rested on whether the operators should have sent people to Mexico in the first place and whether they did all they could to look after their clients.
He said: “I believe it was reasonable to send people to Mexico, as the hurricane behaved abnormally and to a large extent relief efforts were taken out of the operators’ control.
“You can’t look back with hindsight. The operators did everything that was sensible, reasonable and appropriate at the time.”
Thomson, First Choice and MyTravel confirmed they have received a number of legal claims and are investigating, but refused to comment further. More than 8,000 UK customers were in the Cancun area when Wilma struck.
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