Stephen Gougeon has launched a £5.5 million lawsuit against a resort in the Dominican Republic blaming the hotel buffet for the fatal food poisoning of his wife and eight-year-old son just one day after their arrival.
April, 41, and the son Oliver, eight, died from food posioning shortly after arriving at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham Resort in December 2023.
The family’s attorney said that they both became severely ill after dining at the resort’s buffet, the Express US reports.
Stephen Gougeon, 38, said in a statement: “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.”
Air Transat and Wyndham Hotels have been named as defendants in the lawsuit.
An Air Transat spokesperson conveyed their “deep sadness” to People Magazine but firmly denied all allegations made against them.
A spokesperson from Air Transat told People Magazine: “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 the lawsuit, Stephen Gougeon claimed that the food preparation areas were unsanitary, medical treatment was not provided in a timely manner, and the staff were untrained to handle emergencies.
Gougeon said: “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.”
The lawyer representing the family, Meghan Hull Jacquin, said: “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.”
Gougeon told The New York Times: “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.”