A holidaymaker who was knocked unconscious after she slipped on water that had leaked from an air conditioning unit has won £37,000 in compensation from tour operator Thomas Cook.

Sylvia McNicholl, 49, was on a family holiday at a hotel in Tenerife in May 2008 when the accident happened. She got up to take her three-year-old son to the toilet and slipped on the spilled water and fell heavily. The next thing she knew she was lying on the floor with a severe cut on her head. She had fallen backwards and hit her head on the door of a cupboard.

Not only did Mrs McNicholl require hospital treatment at the time of the accident but the injury to her head also had long-term effects. She suffered headaches and dizziness and has been left with a reduced sense of smell.

An investigation into the accident revealed shortcomings in the hotel’s maintenance records with regard to the air conditioning system.

After Mrs McNicholl brought a claim for compensation against the tour operator, a settlement of £37,000 was agreed. This was to cover the ruined holiday, her loss of earnings and her medical costs.