A Canadian man says his wife and 8-year-old son died due to food poisoning in an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, according to the civil lawsuit filed with the Supreme Court of Ontario on Monday.
Stephen Gougeon, 38, a Toronto lawyer, is seeking about $ 7 million in compensation from Viva Dominicus Beach from Wyndham Resort, as well as a travel agent and other companies.
Mr. Gougeon said his family vacation in December 2023 turned into a nightmare after him, his wife, April Gougeon, and their two young sons ate in the buffet on the first night of their scheduled weekly stay at Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, one of a growing number of All-Inclusive properties in the Caribbean nation.
The family woke up the next morning vomiting so strongly that they could not walk at the medical clinic in the resort.
“We couldn’t even get to the toilet,” Mr Gougeon said in a telephone interview.
She said she asked the clinical emergency, but she was told that her policy was banned from tending to guests in their rooms. After calling again to seek help later in the afternoon, the four moved using wheelchairs to the clinic and then with an ambulance to a hospital.
At the hospital, his 8 -year -old son, Oliver, went to cardiac arrest and died. April 41, he died while unconscious in a ventilator. Mr. Gougeon and his son Wesley, then 6 years old, were hospitalized for two days.
The autopsies in the Dominican Republic concluded that April and Oliver died of secondary causes of food poisoning, according to urban education.
“I don’t think I’ll ever recover,” Mr Gougeon said. “I have lost my wife, who I liked so much, and my son, who was just such a beautiful person and who I was so impatient to see to grow up.”
The trial claims that the resort, the Transat Tours Canada Tour Operator and other companies are guilty of negligence due to the inappropriate preparation of food, inadequate emergency protocols and the training of staff and lack of timely medical care.
Viva Dominicus Resort and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, owner of the Wyndham brand, did not respond to repeated comments.
In a statement, Transat, through which the family bought the holiday package that included flights and accommodation, responded to the claim.
“At the time of these events, we supported the Gougeon family. In such cases, we act with diligence, prudence and compassion, making every effort to help our customers,” the company said. “We choose our suppliers with great care and the hotel operator assured us of his full cooperation with the authorities to shed light on these tragic deaths.”
Autopsies did not recognize the pathogen or source of infection. Buffet bids that night included seafood, meats, fruits, breads and desserts, reminded Mr. Gougeon. “Everyone had a piece of a combination of all.”
The Dominican Republic has emerged as one of the leading tourist destinations of the Caribbean after years of large investment in infrastructure to open it to international visitors. It has dozens of All-Inclusive resorts on sandy beaches with turbulent beaches overlooking the turquoise waters and are particularly disappointed by tourists in the winter months.
In 2019, the nation drew unwanted international attention when at least 10 US tourists died there and reports reports on other travelers who attacked resorts. A FBI study found no injustice and that some deaths came from natural causes, but the events raised questions about the country’s medical responses and security procedures.
According to government estimates, the number of visitors decreased by 9 %. But during the pandemic, the country quickly reduced its entry rules for international travelers and tourism, rushed back. Last year, the Dominican Republic drew a record of 11 million tourists, according to the government.
The Gougeon family recorded their last minute trip, buying a holiday via Transat because it was known as a reliable company in Canada, Mr Gougeon said.
“We had a lot of confidence that we did something that was safe,” he said. “We thought they would say all the boxes. ”
Mr Gougeon said he hoped that the treatment would ask the industry to improve his medical response.
“These resorts should have the right procedures for situations when people are ill and are unable to seek medical care itself,” he said. “I don’t think anyone has to endure what I have endured.”
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