A nurse’s dream vacation to a beautiful Greek island turned into a life-threatening ordeal after she contracted a serious bacterial infection that left her in a medically induced coma and fighting to survive.
Amanda Mortimer, 54, spent nearly a month in the hospital after returning from a weeklong stay at the four-star Thalia Hotel in Pefkos, Rhodes, in June 2022.
Now, more than four years later, the mother of one has received a substantial financial settlement after lawyers uncovered evidence linking other cases of Legionnaires’ disease to guests who stayed at the same resort during the same period.
Mortimer, a mental health nurse from South Wales, traveled to the hotel with her partner, Estelle Mattravers, 51. The couple had visited the property twice before, but Mortimer said she immediately noticed a troubling difference.
The hotel appeared poorly maintained, with algae around the swimming pool and questionable cleanliness in areas where food was served. She also recalled hearing complaints about water problems in guest rooms.
Despite those concerns, she never imagined the vacation would end with her fighting for her life.
Just days after returning home, Mortimer developed vomiting, diarrhea and a fever. Initially believing she had caught a stomach bug, she grew increasingly concerned as her symptoms worsened.
When she began struggling to breathe, she sought medical attention and was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
Her condition quickly deteriorated. She developed pneumonia and sepsis, a potentially fatal reaction to infection, and was transferred to intensive care.
Doctors eventually arranged for her to be airlifted to London for specialist treatment, where she was placed in a medically induced coma.
Mortimer remained hospitalized for approximately a month before she was well enough to return home.
But surviving the illness was only the beginning of a long and difficult recovery.
She initially struggled with mobility and needed a walker and wheelchair. More than four years later, she continues to experience breathlessness, fatigue, recurring chest infections and anxiety about her health.
Before becoming ill, Mortimer regularly worked overtime, traveled and enjoyed an active lifestyle. Now, even ordinary activities can leave her exhausted.
“The spontaneity is lost,” she said, describing how the illness has changed her relationship and everyday life.
After her hospitalization, Mortimer hired British law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether her infection was connected to the hotel, which she had booked through vacation operator LoveHolidays.
According to the firm, its investigation uncovered independent evidence connecting several confirmed Legionnaires’ disease cases to guests who stayed at the Thalia Hotel during the same period.
Following legal proceedings, LoveHolidays agreed to a significant out-of-court settlement. The company denied liability throughout the case, and the financial amount was not publicly disclosed.
Nadhia Akthar, the attorney representing Mortimer, emphasized that the disease can have devastating and lasting consequences, particularly when infections develop in buildings with complex water systems.
Legionnaires’ disease typically spreads when people inhale tiny airborne water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. Contaminated showers, hot tubs and certain plumbing systems can pose risks if water is not properly maintained.
The disease is not generally spread through ordinary person-to-person contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms can include coughing, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath, usually appearing within two to 14 days after exposure.
Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious illness, although otherwise healthy individuals can also become infected.
Mortimer hopes sharing her experience will encourage travelers to pay attention to possible warning signs and seek medical treatment when unexplained symptoms develop after a trip.
Although the settlement marks the conclusion of her legal case, she says the physical and emotional effects remain part of her daily life.
What should have been a relaxing vacation has instead become an experience that changed her life for years to come.
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