Mississauga nursing home hit with $20M lawsuit
Schlegel Villages accused of failing to keep staff, residents safe amid crisis
Another lawsuit has been filed against a long-term-care home operator in Mississauga.
The negligence and wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Viet Do and seeks $20 million from Schlegel Villages, alleging that the company failed to keep residents and staff safe at its Erin Mills Lodge facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do’s father, Minh Do, 88, lived at Erin Mills Lodge from 2014 until his death on April 24, 2020, according to the lawsuit’s statement of claim. His family was notified that Minh Do developed COVID-19 symptoms on April 23, the claim said.
The claim, which has not been proven in court, alleges that Schlegel didn’t comply with directives issued by the province and health authorities, including not isolating individuals with COVID-19 from non-infected people and failing to provide staff with “proper personal protective equipment in a timely manner.”
“When provided, Erin Mills Lodge directed staff to repeatedly use the same personal protective equipment — despite contamination,” the claim alleges.
The Mississauga News sent the claim to Schlegel and asked the company for comment on the allegations.
Matt Drown, Schlegel’s director of community communications, said in an email that “our efforts at all times, whether during the COVID-19 pandemic or in the regular daily lives of our Villages, are deeply rooted in the best service and care possible for the residents we serve.”
He also said that the care sector across Canada has “faced immense challenges since March” and that Schlegel staff “have faced them all under the guidance of Ontario’s chief medical officer of health and the Ministry of (Health and) Long-term Care.”
Erin Mills has over 80 beds and is one of 19 long-term-care or retirement facilities owned by Schlegel.
The Erin Mills Lodge claim is the second $20-million lawsuit against Schlegel related to its care homes in Mississauga.
In June, the family of Giuseppina Carnevale, who was a resident of the Village of Erin Meadows, filed a $20-million wrongful death claim against Schlegel. Law firm Will Davidson is representing the plaintiffs in both legal actions.
At the time, Drown also said the company would address the allegations related to its Erin Meadows care home “through the proper legal processes.”
Viet Do said his father “was always there for every member of the family.”
“I consider it my duty to my father to push for an investigation of this tragedy,” he said in a statement provided by Will Davidson. “Those that are responsible for this state of affairs must take responsibility and be held accountable.”
Peel Public Health reports show that both Erin Mills and Village of Erin Meadows have had 21 resident deaths, which is the third-most among longterm-care and retirement homes across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.
Camilla Care Community and Cooksville Care Community, both in Mississauga, have had 67 and 24 resident deaths respectively related to COVID-19, according to Peel Public Health.
As of July 16, Peel Public Health reported that Erin Mills Lodge has had 100 COVID-19 cases – 67 residents and 33 staff members.
Forty-six of the resident cases and all but one staff member had recovered, according to the Peel Public Health report.