The travel company TUI has reached a settlement involving a five-figure sum with 63-year-old Gary Cushnie, a British national who contracted Legionnaires' disease while staying at the Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel in Havana during a vacation in June 2022. This story has been covered by major outlets like BBC News and ITV Calendar, which have shared the victim's account.
Hailing from Willerby, East Yorkshire, Cushnie traveled to Cuba with his partner Julie to mark her 60th birthday. Six days into their stay, he began experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. Cushnie believes he caught the infection from a shower shortly after arriving at the hotel.
"I did something I never do: stood under the shower and turned it on. I was just coughing and splashing. Little did I know, those coughs and splashes were exposing me to Legionella," Cushnie shared with ITV Calendar.
Cushnie and Julie were the only guests on the fourth floor, which he noted "clearly had just been refurbished," suggesting the pipes had been unused for some time, creating a perfect setting for the Legionella bacteria to thrive.
Health Scare Escalates in Cuba
The situation worsened in their second week while staying at another beachside hotel. Cushnie collapsed fully clothed by the pool and struggled for over an hour to navigate the airport's departure lounge on the way home, requiring frequent rest breaks.
Upon returning to the UK, he was rushed by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Hull, where he stayed for more than a week. Initially diagnosed with pneumonia and pleurisy, blood tests later confirmed he had Legionnaires' disease, which was treated with antibiotics. Doctors expressed that he was fortunate to survive.
The illness forced Cushnie into early retirement, and he continues to suffer from chronic aftereffects. "It's shocking how much this has impacted me. Even now, I find that I get out of breath easily and my energy levels drop quickly," he commented.
Understanding Legionnaires' Disease
Legionnaires' disease is a severe lung infection spread by inhaling contaminated water droplets. It is typically not contracted by drinking tainted water, but rather through activities like showering, flushing toilets, or using air conditioning systems.
Initial symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, including coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and high fever, according to the UK's National Health Service. Most people treated with antibiotics recover fully, though it can take weeks to return to normal.
Legal Battle and Settlement
The legal firm Hudgell Solicitors, representing Cushnie, argued that TUI failed to ensure basic hygiene standards at the hotel, endangering its guests. Anne Thomson, the solicitor handling the case, noted that travel operators often deny the hotel is the source of infections, prompting their team to request hygiene inspection records, maintenance logs, and reports of other illness incidents.
TUI initially denied liability but eventually agreed to a settlement. A spokesperson for the company stated, "As TUI no longer operates in Cuba and lacked access to sufficient evidence, the issue was resolved through an out-of-court settlement, with neither party admitting liability."
The five-star hotel, opened in 2018 on the Paseo del Prado in Old Havana, is operated by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in partnership with Gaviota, the business arm of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. TUI ceased its Cuban operations in May 2024.
"For me, this wasn't about the money; it was about TUI acknowledging that they failed to take proper care of their guests," Cushnie concluded, as reported by the BBC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legionnaires' Disease and Travel Safety
What is Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria, often found in hotel and hospital water systems.
How can travelers protect themselves from Legionnaires' disease?
Travelers can protect themselves by ensuring the hotels they stay in maintain rigorous hygiene standards and by avoiding exposure to standing water or poorly maintained air conditioning systems.
Why did TUI settle the case without admitting liability?
TUI settled the case without admitting liability due to a lack of access to sufficient evidence, as they no longer operate in Cuba, making an out-of-court settlement the most viable resolution.