Family of man who died waiting for care at Fredericton ER reaches settlement
CBC
The family of a man who died waiting for care at the Fredericton hospital's emergency department more than three years ago has reached a settlement in their negligence lawsuit against Horizon Health Network and two nurses.
Ryan Mesheau, son of the late Darrell Mesheau, 78, confirmed the resolution to CBC News.
He declined to disclose any details, citing the terms of the agreement.
But the family intends to seek reform of the province's Fatal Accidents Act, which "assigns next to no monetary value to the life of an elderly person or child," Mesheau said.
"We appreciate that the case has been resolved, although it does not necessarily bring contentment or closure."
"Losing someone so suddenly and the way it happened brings up a lot of feelings that are hard to describe."
The grief, sadness, and anger have reshaped their lives, he said, and "left an emptiness.
"We still miss his advice, we still miss his support and his company."
They are determined, however, to ensure his death serves as a catalyst for positive change for all New Brunswickers, Mesheau said.
In addition to seeking amendments to the Fatal Accidents Act, they also plan to establish a nursing scholarship in his name at the University of New Brunswick.
Darrell Mesheau spent about seven hours in the waiting room of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital ER before he was discovered slumped and motionless in a wheelchair by a licensed practical nurse around 4:30 a.m. on July 12, 2022.
The death of the former diplomat sparked outrage across the province and prompted a major shakeup of New Brunswick's health-care leadership, including the firing of Horizon's president and CEO, the replacement of the health minister and removal of the Horizon and Vitalité boards.
In July 2024, Darrell Mesheau's sister and the executor of his estate, Susan Mesheau of Fredericton, filed the lawsuit against Horizon, registered nurse Danielle Othen and licensed practical nurse April Knowles over his death.
The Mesheau family, including his four siblings, two children, and granddaughter, alleged "reckless and outrageous acts and omissions" in his care and treatment after he arrived by ambulance on July 11, around 9:33 p.m., and was placed in a wheelchair in the ER waiting room.
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