Man Dies After 7 Hours in ER Waiting Room
The family of Darrell Mesheau has filed a negligence lawsuit against Horizon Health Network, registered nurse Danielle Othen, and licensed practical nurse April Knowles, after Mesheau died in the emergency room waiting area of Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on July 12, 2022. Mesheau, 78, was found unresponsive in a wheelchair approximately seven hours after arriving by ambulance.
Lawsuit Alleges ‘Reckless and Outrageous’ Conduct
The lawsuit, brought by Mesheau’s sister Susan Mesheau as executor of his estate, alleges that the hospital and nurses failed to monitor his condition adequately. Despite being triaged as a Level 3 (urgent) case, the family contends that Mesheau’s vitals were checked only twice during his entire stay and that staff failed to reassess him every 30 minutes as required.
The family’s statement of claim asserts that he received no interaction from medical staff between 2:03 a.m. and the time he was discovered unresponsive at around 4:28 a.m.
Defendants Deny Negligence
In a statement of defence, the defendants, represented by lawyer Ryan Burgoyne, admit to the timeline of events but deny any wrongdoing. They maintain that Horizon staff used reasonable care and skill and did not deviate from the expected standard of care.
The defence also disputes claims that Othen failed to collect and document Mesheau’s medical history and contends that none of the actions or omissions of the hospital or nurses contributed to his death, which was attributed to heart failure.
Horizon Seeks Dismissal With Costs
Horizon Health is asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit with costs. The defendants assert that the Mesheau family is not entitled to the damages sought and are demanding strict proof of any alleged losses. The plaintiffs are pursuing damages for loss of companionship, financial loss, and punitive damages, among other relief.
While none of the allegations have been proven in court, the case has gained significant public attention following a coroner’s inquest and a sweeping leadership shakeup within New Brunswick’s healthcare system.
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From Angelica Dino via Law Times News