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Travel agency denies professional negligence in holiday island court case

Published on 9 Mar 2010 under category: legal

A British travel agency is facing charges of professional negligence at a court in Corfu.

Thomas Cook is being accused of corporate manslaughter after two children died from carbon monoxide poisoning at one of its holiday properties on the island in October 2006.

In addition, the firm is also accused of causing bodily harm by negligence for allowing the parents of the deceased children to fall into comas from inhaling poisonous gases, with the court having heard that maintenance of the boiler at the property in question was highly suspect.

One expert witness, a mechanical engineer who inspected the holiday home following the tragedy, stated: "It's the worst installation I’ve ever witnessed in 50 years. The mistakes that were made were negligent and incompetent."

However, Thomas Cook is contesting the charges of professional negligence, stating that the deaths were accidental and caused by unforeseeable circumstances.

In addition to a pair of the company’s health and safety inspectors, nine other individuals are on trial in Corfu facing manslaughter or negligence charges.

If you require advice on Professional Negligence please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for Peter Mellett.