Household recordsdata lawsuit after Toronto mom, son die on trip in Dominican Republic

The household of a Toronto mom and son who died after getting meals poisoning throughout their keep at a Dominican Republic resort are actually suing a resort and journey firm, alleging they had 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 an announcement of declare filed this week in Ontario Superior Courtroom.

Simply hours after they checked in and ate dinner on the buffet, all 4 turned severely sick, however the household’s preliminary request for medical help of their room was rebuffed, the court docket doc alleges.

The household was finally 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 related to food poisoning,” in keeping with the assertion of declare.

Stephen Gougeon and their different son Wesley had been handled on the hospital for 2 days earlier than returning to Canada, it says.

“Stephen and April planned this trip. They went through reputable companies, and it never crossed their mind that this would be how their vacation would start,” Meghan Hull Jacquin, the lawyer representing the household, mentioned in a cellphone interview Tuesday.

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“This family was failed on so many fronts.”

The household’s lawsuit makes a number of allegations in opposition to the resort, Wyndham Lodge Canada II Inc., Air Transat Holidays and the clinic offering medical companies on the resort.

Amongst them are claims the defendants had been negligent in dealing with and making ready meals, together with serving contaminated meals and never following hygiene protocols. It additionally claims employees weren’t correctly skilled on meals security practices.

The assertion of declare additionally alleges the defendants “failed to provide a timely response to the family’s call for help” and had “dismissed or downplayed initial complaints or signs of distress” 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 great care” and the resort operator has assured Air Transat of “its full co-operation” with authorities.

“In such cases, we act with diligence, prudence, and compassion, making every effort to assist our clients,” Marie-Christine Pouliot mentioned in an emailed assertion.

“We refute the allegations made against us.”

Wyndham Accommodations 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 anything” to have his spouse and son again.

“Flying back home without April and Oliver sitting beside as they had done just days earlier is indescribable,” he mentioned within the assertion. “The thought that something like this could happen was the furthest thing from our minds.”

The household’s lawyer mentioned they determined to talk out in regards to the deaths within the hopes of stopping one other household from experiencing the identical ache.

“It’s about informing the public so that they’re not naive in making these plans to go outside of Canada on these trips – it’s to shine light on the deficiencies and the services that were provided to them,” Hull Jacquin mentioned.

“Stephen does want people to be aware that this happened to them, and it can happen to another happy, healthy family unless something is done to change those standards.”