A woman from Hanwell, New Brunswick, visited Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital’s emergency room on March 22, 2022. The next day, she received the distressing news that her fetus had no heartbeat. Subsequently, she reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the health authority, the hospital, and four physicians for alleged negligence in providing appropriate medical care.
The lawsuit, filed in March 2024 at the Court of King’s Bench in Fredericton, accused the doctors and hospital of failing to deliver adequate medical treatment. Aimee Dunn, the plaintiff, along with Mitchell Waite, sought compensation for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and punitive damages. The case was resolved amicably in December, with all parties consenting to the discontinuation.
Aris Lavranos, the lawyer representing Dunn and Waite, confirmed the settlement but declined to disclose the financial details. He emphasized that the resolution was satisfactory for his clients. Lavranos, a lawyer and practicing emergency medicine physician, attributed the fetal loss to a combination of factors rather than singling out any specific cause.
The lawsuit alleged that the doctors neglected to consider critical diagnoses, failed to monitor the fetus, and lacked effective communication among medical staff. Lavranos, who initially reviewed the case at MacGillivray Law, found merit in Dunn’s claims after consulting with other experts.
Dunn, grieving the loss of her daughter named Reia, expressed frustration at the hospital’s handling of her case, especially after a similar incident involving a patient’s death in the emergency department. The family of the deceased patient, Darrell Mesheau, also reached a confidential settlement in a negligence lawsuit against the hospital.
Dunn’s medical records indicated delays in her treatment and a failure to promptly address her medical condition. She was diagnosed with severe pregnancy complications, leading to the stillbirth of her daughter. Horizon, acknowledging the lawsuit’s conclusion, declined to provide further comments.
Following the tragic events, Dunn and Waite, both of whom had been discouraged about pursuing legal action due to potential challenges, faced the daunting prospect of taking on the Canadian Medical Protective Association. The association, which assists doctors legally and financially, disclosed a significant amount paid in compensation to patients affected by negligent care in its latest annual report.
In conclusion, the legal dispute was resolved out of court, bringing closure to the emotional ordeal faced by the grieving parents.
