Burlington Clinic Sued for $5 Million Over Unsafe Injection

A man from Burlington is taking legal action against a local walk-in clinic and its doctor, seeking $5 million. He claims he contracted Hepatitis C after receiving an injection with a needle that wasn’t sterile during a routine visit – an event later mentioned in a public health alert regarding improper infection-control practices.

The lawsuit was filed in Ontario Superior Court by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, naming Halton Family Health Centre Inc. and Dr. Timothy Salter as the parties being sued.

It accuses them of negligence, vicarious liability, and breach of fiduciary duty concerning the treatment received by Darwin Allen, a resident of Burlington.

The Statement of Claim states that Allen visited the clinic in September 2023 after injuring his heel. During his treatment, Dr. Salter allegedly administered lidocaine using a needle that was not properly sterilized.

More than two years later, in November 2025, Allen got a letter from Halton Region Public Health warning him that the clinic had been using unsterile needles with multidose vials of anesthetic medication – violating infection-control standards that could put patients at risk for blood-borne diseases.

The letter advised Allen to get tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. He subsequently tested positive for Hepatitis C in December 2025.

“No patient should walk into a clinic for routine treatment and leave with a life-altering infection,” said Darryl Singer, a lawyer with Diamond and Diamond. “This case is about accountability and ensuring proper medical standards are followed.”

Lawsuit highlights issues at the clinic

The claim points out that both the clinic and Dr. Salter failed to adhere to basic infection-prevention measures, including making sure needles were properly sterilized and safe to use. It also claims the clinic is vicariously liable for its staff’s actions.

Diamond and Diamond believes Allen might not be the only patient affected and encourages others who received a public health notice – or have concerns about their care – to reach out to their firm.

None of these allegations have been proven in court yet, and the defendants haven’t submitted their statement of defence as of now.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and severe cases may lead to liver cancer. It’s typically transmitted through contact with infected blood, including via unsterilized medical tools.

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