A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded for a Canadian family during their vacation in the Dominican Republic. Stephen Gougeon is suing a resort after his wife, April, and their 8-year-old son, Oliver, died from suspected food poisoning shortly after arriving.
On January 27, Stephen filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking almost $7 million. According to court documents, April and Oliver fell ill within hours of dining at the buffet of the Viva Dominicus Beach resort. They became seriously sick and sought help at the resort’s clinic, but their conditions deteriorated rapidly. Sadly, both passed away at nearby hospitals.
In a statement, Stephen expressed his devastation: “We planned this trip for some quality family time. It’s unimaginable that this could happen.” He described the pain of losing his wife and son, saying, “I don’t think I’ll ever recover. My son was such a beautiful person, and I was excited to watch him grow.”
Air Transat, one of the defendants in the case, expressed sadness over the situation. However, the company contests the claims made in the lawsuit. They emphasized their commitment to assisting the Gougeon family during the incident and stated that they carefully choose their suppliers to ensure safety.
According to the lawsuit, the family’s health declined after eating at the resort’s buffet. A coroner’s report later attributed their deaths to complications related to food poisoning. The lawsuit alleges insufficient hygiene in food preparation, a lack of timely medical treatment, and inadequate training among the resort staff to handle emergencies.
Stephen claimed that when he called for help, the staff appeared dismissive. He recounted moments of confusion and delays when he desperately sought medical assistance. “We called asking for help. They did not take our call seriously,” he said, emphasizing that these delays were crucial.
The family’s attorney, Meghan Hull Jacquin, pointed out that the Gougeon family deserved better. She noted that many Canadians trust all-inclusive resorts for safety during their vacations. She added that the lawsuit aims to seek justice for the Gougeon family and highlight the need for better safety standards to prevent future tragedies.
