If you have suffered food poisoning on holiday in the Maldives, you can claim for holiday sickness compensation when you return to the UK providing the negligence of the tour operator caused your illness.

All inclusive resorts in the Maldives have come under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during the past few years and many holidaymakers have complained of poor standards of food and hygiene in holiday hotels. When contaminated food is served at large all inclusive hotels in the Maldives and elsewhere large groups of people are likely to become ill. Illness outbreaks in the Maldives are often caused by cross contamination when infected food is mixed with fresh food or when the same cutting boards are used for different foods without washing them in between. Cutting boards must also be washed down regularly between preparing different foods and raw meat must always be stored below ready to eat food in the fridge.

If you suffer Salmonella food poisoning, you are likely to become ill within 12 hours although it can take up to three days and typical symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and headaches plus fever. If your holiday is spoilt by holiday food poisoning which is caused by filthy kitchens, improper handling or storing of food and dirty restaurants, you are well within your rights to make a complaint to the holiday representative and keep a copy of anything you sign. When you arrive back in the UK contact a personal injury solicitor who specialises in cases of holiday illness and who understands travel law. You can claim a substantial amount of compensation for loss of enjoyment of your holiday, medical expenses, pain and suffering and even loss of income if you are not able to return to work immediately when you return to the UK.

Holiday food poisoning can ruin your annual holiday and you may also have to pay for medical treatment abroad in the Maldives. Salmonella food poisoning is one of the most common types of holiday illness and you should never be exposed to it while you are abroad.

Beware the holiday barbecue where undercooked meat is often served and always make sure food is served piping hot and never lukewarm. Cold food should be served chilled at the correct temperature and food should never be reheated day after day at a hotel buffet style service. Even if your symptoms of food poisoning are mild, you should always seek medical help to make sure you do not become dehydrated. Prolonged bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea will cause you to lose valuable fluids that will need to be replaced to prevent dehydration and you may need treatment via an intravenous drip or antibiotics.

Trust your instincts, and never eat anything which you suspect may be contaminated. Food handlers should take extra care when preparing and handling food in hot countries and fridges must be cleaned regularly, along with kitchen worktops and cutting boards, to prevent food from becoming contaminated. It is worth remembering that food poisoning is completely preventable and tour operators should be held responsible if their negligence has caused your illness in a holiday package tour hotel in the Maldives or elsewhere.

Contact a personal injury solicitor in the UK when you arrive home and claim the compensation you deserve from the tour operator. Salmonella food poisoning is commonly contracted from eating undercooked meat and raw eggs and the disease can cause serious illness or death if it goes untreated.