Holidaymakers sue Tui after 10ft fall at hotel

A WOMAN who suffered permanent trauma after plunging 10ft on to concrete from an unguarded staircase at a holiday resort is suing her travel operator for the lifelong care she will need.

Wendy Brown, 56, was three days into her holiday with her new husband Gary, 55, when she fell while returning to their room, suffering severe injuries.

She was airlifted to hospital in Tenerife where she had emergency brain and spinal surgery and spent two weeks in an induced coma.

Mr Brown stated in court documents that he suffered psychological trauma after witnessing his wife’s fall and performing CPR, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. He has had to give up work to look after her.

The couple, from Bollington, near Macclesfield, are suing Tui UK for £200,000 in damages, claiming it was negligent and in breach of contract for its failure to provide reasonably safe accommodation at La Palma & Teneguía Princess Hotel in January 2018.

In papers lodged with the High Court they said the drop should have been protected by a rail or barrier.

According to her legal team at Irwin Mitchell, Mrs Brown, a former telecoms worker, requires significant rehabilitation support. As well as fatigue, disturbed sleep and poor concentration, her sight and speech are damaged and she needs help to walk.

But Tui has claimed Mrs Brown was negligent. In court papers it said the path was lit at the time of the accident, the edge was protected by raised edging stones and a thickly planted border up to 80cm high.