Family sues Lakeshore Hospital after mother found dead on ER floor
A Montreal family has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the Lakeshore Hospital after their 86-year-old mother fell on the floor and died at the hospital allegedly without anyone noticing.
Candida Macarine died on Feb. 26, 2021, not long after she was admitted to the hospital with respiratory problems. Her children accepted the explanation that she died of heart failure.
But a CBC News report found that Macarine had in fact collapsed next to her bed, and was not found by staff until much later.
"I can't imagine how my mother felt that she had eight children, but not a single one was able to be there during her untimely death. I can't imagine the pain she endured that evening when she fell face down on the floor, said Macarine's daughter, Gilda Macarine.
Despite repeated requests for information, the family says they have yet to be informed about the circumstances of the woman's death. They say they can't even get the names of nurses and doctors on staff that day.
"We tried to contact them and nothing. They stonewalled us. None of the staff or the management reached out to us," said the deceased's son, Emmanuel Macarine.
After three years of going around in circles looking for answers, the family hired a lawyer to launch the civil suit. They feel it's the only way they'll get accountability and answers.
Lawyer Aymar Missakilalawyer claims the hospital was negligent in providing care, and adds it failed to disclose important information to the family. Three years after the woman's death, the family says they still can't move on because they can't get answers.
"I want to shout. I want to scream because I cannot accept it," Gilda said.
Late Thursday afternoon, the regional health board said it would not comment on specifics because of the litigation but said several improvements have been made since the tragedy to provide better supervision of new staff and a monitoring of patients every 15 minutes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
Oilers advance to Stanley Cup final by beating Stars in Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
'Rotten rock': Climate change altering the face of Canadian mountaineering
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Driver missing after vehicle plunges into the Riviere-des-Prairies between Montreal and Laval
Emergency response crews are on the scene Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged into the Riviere des Prairies in Montreal.