Families sue Revera, Winnipeg health authority over COVID-19 deaths at Maples care home

The families of two residents who died of COVID-19 complications duringthe Maples Long TermCare Home outbreak last fall have launched a class-action lawsuit againstRevera, thefor-profitcompany that owns the facility, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority,which funds and oversees it.

Thelawsuit alleges Revera and the health authority caused orcontributed to the COVID-19 deaths of Ethel Lewsey, 99, andManuel Calisto, 88.

"Because of the gross lack of staffing caused by the inactionsof the Revera defendants and the WRHA ... residents were leftdehydrated and malnourished and vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, and thereforesuffered greatly as a result," reads the statement of claimfiled in Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench on May 10.

Lewsey and Calisto are two of 56Maples residents who died from COVID-19 complications during an outbreak at the Winnipeg care home, which was declared on Oct. 20. By the time it ended after nearly three months, 157residents and 74 staff had beeninfected, according to figures included inareportcommissioned by Manitoba Health.

The lawsuit allegesReverafailed toprovide medical and nursing care, including acute medical care,and failed to properly physically distance residents to contain the spread of the illness.

The lawsuit also alleges Revera failedtoensure there wereadequate staffing levels at the home.

Itaccuses the Winnipeg Regional Health Authorityoffailing to identify thelack of staffing and the effect that had on resident care when it conducted an inspection during the outbreak.

The suit also alleges the health authority failed to adequately respond to Revera'srequests for additional staffing.

Manuel Calisto's daughter, Eddie Calisto-Tavares, andLawrenceLewsey, Ethel's son, are seeking aggravated and punitive damages on top of other damages alleging "egregious conduct and callous disregard for the health and safety of the vulnerable residents of Maples."

They claim Revera's alleged failures were partly the result of the company's "desire to maximize profits," according to the court document.

The allegations have not been tested in court. No statement of defence has yet been filed.

Inan emailed statement, Reverasaid it respects the court process and will respond to the proposed legal action at the appropriate time and through proper legal channels.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to all the families and friends of residents affected by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic," wrote Revera spokesperson Larry Roberts.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authoritydeclined to comment because the matter is before the court.