Mexico Food Poisoning

If you've become ill with a disease such as food poisoning while abroad in Mexico, whether you were there for work or for leisure, our lawyers could help you claim compensation.

Rules about claiming compensation are different around the world, and the same is true in Mexico. As each of the country's 31 states and federal districts has its own constitution, local laws can be complicated.

However, wherever you are in Mexico, there will be laws and regulations in place that cover food handling and preparation. Negligence in this area is the prime cause of illness among over 400,000 British nationals who travel to Mexico every year.

Most of the international personal injury claims we handle are made in England & Wales. But in some cases it may be beneficial to make your claim abroad. We can advise you on this in a free initial consultation about making a claim.

Compensation claims in England & Wales are normally funded through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there's nothing to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

We aim to make claiming compensation abroad as simple as possible for you, and work with an international network of legal experts to ensure we're excellently placed to handle claims around the world.

If you've become ill while in Mexico, and think your illness was the result of someone else's negligence, then you could be able to claim. Contact us on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation, or contact us online, and we'll be happy to provide our expert advice.

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Mexico Food Poisoning - More Information

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I am relieved that our legal battle is finally over. Our holiday was a nightmare and we were so disappointed. We’re glad Irwin Mitchell has managed to achieve a successful outcome for us”

David, client

Frequently Asked Questions

What Illnesses Are Common In Mexico?

The main cause of illness for travellers in Mexico is gastric illness, commonly known as food poisoning. In our experience of handling claims in Mexico, we've found that food handling and safety standards in hotels are generally below what you might expect in the UK, creating a higher risk of food poisoning.

Food poisoning is caused by consuming food or drink that's contaminated with bacteria or viruses, which include:

Cryptosporidium
Giardia
Salmonella
E coli

Food can become contaminated due to:

Improper storage
Handling
Negligent preparation, such as undercooking food, or storing vegetables with raw meat

You can find out more about the causes in our food poisoning guide.

The people responsible for failure to meet health and safety standards in this way – usually those preparing or serving food in a restaurant or hotel, for example – may not be those liable for paying a compensation settlement. If you were travelling as part of a package tour, for example, the tour operator could be held responsible for failing to select venues that met health and safety standards.

If you're unsure whether you'll be able to make a claim, or have any questions about our services, don't hesitate to give us a call on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation. We'll discuss your circumstances and offer our expert advice on your options.

How Is Making A Claim In Mexico Different To The UK?

If you developed an illness in Mexico, you won’t necessarily have to pursue a claim through the country's own courts. If a tour operator, employer, or other business based within the UK is found to be liable for your illness, then it could be possible to claim through the UK courts.

If you're pursuing your case through the UK courts, you generally have three years from the date of illness to bring a compensation claim – though there are exceptions, such as if you were under 18 at the time.

However, if you're claiming directly against a local business in Mexico, such as a restaurant, or a hotel that you booked yourself rather than staying at through a package deal, then you may have to pursue your claim through the Mexican courts.

We understand that many people will have concerns over claiming in another country, but rest assured that we make every effort to ensure the process is as simple as possible for you. We work with an international network of partner law firms and will attend any court hearings so you don't have to go to court abroad as part of your claim.

In Mexico, the legal time limit to make a claim may be as short as 12 months, which is why it's vital to seek legal advice as soon as possible, to ensure you don't miss your opportunity to claim compensation that you're entitled to.

If you have any concerns about making a claim abroad, or any questions about the claims process more generally, call us today on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation on your case. There's no obligation to continue after this conversation.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Mexico Food Poisoning Or Illness Claim?

We understand that making a compensation claim can seem like a daunting or stressful prospect, particularly when you might have to deal with the legal system in another country, and a language barrier too.

When we take your case, we'll handle every aspect, from gathering evidence of the causes behind your illness, to representing you at court hearings, so you don't have to travel abroad again.

Mexico's legal system can be complex, with each state or district having slightly different rules and regulations. We work with an international network of partner law firms to support us and our clients as we make compensation claims around the world, and we have advisors in Mexico to ensure we're excellently placed to assist with an illness or food poisoning claim.

With the largest international personal injury law team in the UK, we've helped hundreds of holidaymakers who became ill while staying in Mexico, including the following high-profile cases:

Viva Azteca Hotel. We secured over £350,000 in compensation from tour operator My Travel after 120 people became ill while on holiday at the Viva Azteca hotel. Holidaymakers noticed issues with hygiene standards, and reported gastric illness symptoms soon after. Many of those affected have been left with long term health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome as a result of the illnesses.
The El Dorado Royale Hotel. We represented a couple in a compensation claim against travel company First Choice after one of them contracted salmonella from contaminated food at the hotel. Our client suffered abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, hot and cold flushes, and sweats and shivers. She quickly became so ill that she had to be hospitalised, but was forced to pay $600 before she could be taken by ambulance to the local accident and emergency department. Our client is likely to suffer with back pain, abdominal pain and fatigue for the rest of her life as a direct result of the illness contracted during her holiday. We were able to secure £45,000 in compensation after the travel company admitted liability.

If you'd like to find out more about our services, the claims process, or how else we can help you, call 0800 121 6558, or contact us online for a free initial consultation on your case. We'll give you our expert advice, and discuss your options with you.

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Mexico Food Poisoning

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