A Canadian man claims his wife and son died from food poisoning while staying at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. Stephen Gougeon, a 38-year-old lawyer from Toronto, has filed a civil suit seeking nearly $7 million in damages against the Viva Dominicus Beach resort and several associated companies.
In December 2023, the Gougeon family planned a weeklong vacation at the resort. On their first night, they all ate at the buffet. The next morning, they woke up feeling extremely ill, unable to walk to the resort’s medical clinic.
“We couldn’t even make it to the washroom,” Stephen recalled during a phone interview. He requested urgent help from the clinic, but they informed him that they couldn’t assist guests in their rooms. After another desperate call, the family was moved to the clinic in wheelchairs and then taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Tragically, at the hospital, Stephen’s 8-year-old son, Oliver, suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. His wife, April, 41, died while on a ventilator. Stephen and their other son, 6-year-old Wesley, were hospitalized for two days but survived.
This heartbreaking case highlights the serious risks associated with food safety in vacation destinations. Food poisoning can affect anyone, but families on holiday can be especially vulnerable. It’s vital for travelers to be cautious about where and what they eat, especially in buffets that may not maintain proper hygiene standards.
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Dominican Republic,Suits and Litigation (Civil),Compensation for Damages (Law),Travel and Vacations,Hotels and Travel Lodgings
