A heartbroken father has launched a wrongful death legal battle against a Dominican Republic holiday resort, accusing them of causing the tragic deaths of his wife and young son after they dined on the establishment’s buffet food. Stephen Gougeon, aged 38, has filed a £5.5 million lawsuit following the loss of his wife, April, 41, and son, Oliver, just 8 years old, on 27 January.
In a heartfelt statement Mr Gougeon said: “Flying back home without April and Oliver sitting beside as they had done just days earlier is indescribable. We planned this trip so our family could get some rest and relaxation. The thought that something like this could happen was the furthest thing from our minds.”
Wyndham Hotels and Air Transat are facing claims in the suit lodged by the grieving husband and father. While denying the charges, an Air Transat representative passed on to People Magazine that they were “deeply saddened” by the turn of events, insisting on their diligence and commitment to support their clientele.
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The spokesperson said: “In such cases, we act with diligence, prudence, and compassion, making every effort to assist our clients. Moreover, we choose our suppliers with great care and the hotel operator has assured us of its full cooperation with the authorities in shedding light on these tragic deaths.”
In December 2023, the Gougeon family ventured to the scenic Viva Dominicus Beach resort run by Wyndham, along with their two boys, Oliver and Wesley. It was there, their lawyer asserts, after consuming the resort’s buffet offerings, that the mother and her youngest child fell ill, their conditions deteriorating despite seeking assistance at the resort’s clinic.
According to a coroner’s report, April and Oliver Gougeon died due to secondary causes related to food poisoning. April, a lawyer, was described in her obituary as a devoted mother who “was the first one to assist when others were in time of need.”
Oliver’s obituary highlighted his “easy-going personality found him with many friends” and his love for drawing and sketching, reports the Express US.
In a lawsuit, Stephen Gougeon alleged unsanitary conditions in the food preparation areas, lack of timely medical treatment, and untrained staff. He claimed that their pleas for help were not taken seriously by the staff, nor did they check on them or request medical help.
“When they finally responded after our further plea, there appeared to be confusion about how to handle the situation. These delays cost precious time that could have been used to treat our illness. And in the end, it cost my wife and my son their lives,” said Gougeon.
Meghan Hull Jacquin, the family’s lawyer, stated that the family “was failed on so many levels.” She added: “The Gougeons are taking action against the companies whose negligence allowed this to happen, not only to get answers and realise a sense of justice for themselves but to shine light on these events, effect change in the failed processes and procedures and ideally protect other vacationers from having to experience anything similar.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever recover. I’ve lost my wife, who I loved so much, and my son, who was just such a beautiful person and who I was so looking forward to seeing grow up,” Gougeon shared with The New York Times.