TORONTO — The household of a Toronto mom and son who died after getting meals poisoning throughout their keep at a Dominican Republic resort at the moment are suing a lodge and journey firm, alleging they have been negligent of their well being and security protocols and fa
TORONTO — The household of a Toronto mom and son who died after getting meals poisoning throughout their keep at a Dominican Republic resort at the moment are suing a lodge and journey firm, alleging they have been negligent of their well being and security protocols and failed to supply well timed medical assist.
April and Stephen Gougeon and their two younger sons, Oliver and Wesley, travelled in December 2023 to the Viva Dominicus Seashore by Wyndham resort for an all-inclusive trip, says a press release of declare filed this week in Ontario Superior Court docket.
Simply hours after they checked in and ate dinner on the buffet, all 4 turned severely ailing, however the household’s preliminary request for medical help of their room was rebuffed, the court docket doc alleges.
The household was ultimately taken to a neighborhood hospital, the place 41-year-old April Gougeon and eight-year-old Oliver died. A coroner’s report within the Dominican Republic concluded they died from “secondary causes associated to meals poisoning,” in keeping with the assertion of declare.
Stephen Gougeon and their different son Wesley have been handled on the hospital for 2 days earlier than returning to Canada, it says.
“Stephen and April deliberate this journey. They went via respected corporations, and it by no means crossed their thoughts that this is able to be how their trip would begin,” Meghan Hull Jacquin, the lawyer representing the household, mentioned in a telephone interview Tuesday.
“This household was failed on so many fronts.”
The household’s lawsuit makes a number of allegations towards the resort, Wyndham Resort Canada II Inc., Air Transat Holidays and the clinic offering medical companies on the resort.
Amongst them are claims the defendants have been negligent in dealing with and getting ready meals, together with serving contaminated meals and never following hygiene protocols. It additionally claims workers weren’t correctly educated on meals security practices.
The assertion of declare additionally alleges the defendants “failed to supply a well timed response to the household’s name for assist” and had “dismissed or downplayed preliminary complaints or indicators of misery” from the Gougeons.
The allegations haven’t been examined in court docket.
A spokesperson for Air Transat mentioned the corporate is “deeply saddened” by the deaths of April and Oliver. The corporate denied the claims within the lawsuit, including it chooses its suppliers “with nice care” and the lodge operator has assured Air Transat of “its full co-operation” with authorities.
“In such circumstances, we act with diligence, prudence, and compassion, making each effort to help our purchasers,” Marie-Christine Pouliot mentioned in an emailed assertion.
“We refute the allegations made towards us.”
Wyndham Lodges and Resorts acknowledged a request from The Canadian Press on Tuesday however didn’t instantly present remark.
Stephen Gougeon mentioned in a information launch Monday that his household would “give something” to have his spouse and son again.
“Flying again dwelling with out April and Oliver sitting beside as they’d achieved simply days earlier is indescribable,” he mentioned within the assertion. “The thought that one thing like this might occur was the furthest factor from our minds.”
The household’s lawyer mentioned they determined to talk out concerning the deaths within the hopes of stopping one other household from experiencing the identical ache.
“It is about informing the general public in order that they don’t seem to be naive in making these plans to go exterior of Canada on these journeys – it is to shine mild on the deficiencies and the companies that have been supplied to them,” Hull Jacquin mentioned.
“Stephen does need folks to remember that this occurred to them, and it may possibly occur to a different glad, wholesome household until one thing is completed to vary these requirements.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 29, 2025.
Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
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