Thomson Rogers has issued a class action proceeding claiming $15 million in damages on behalf of the residents and families of a Woodbridge senior home. Woodbridge Vista Care Community, a long-term care home owned by Sienna Senior Living, has been the site of dozens of COVID-19-related deaths due to what plaintiffs are calling neglect.
According to a press release issued June 15, 2020, by Thomson Rogers, Sienna’s Executive Vice President of Operations, Joanne Dykeman, made “disparaging and mocking comments” about Woodbridge Vista residents and their families during a virtual meeting on June 3rd and was consequently dismissed from her position.
On June 5, 2020, the Ontario government appointed William Osler Health System as interim manager of Woodbridge Vista, thereby removing control of the facility from Sienna. On or about June 7, 2020, the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to Woodbridge Vista to assist in the provision of care. On June 12, 2020, the president and CEO of Sienna, Lois Cormack, resigned from her position.
“This is the second action Thomson Rogers has advanced on behalf of residents at a Sienna Senior Living facility,” said Stephen Birman a partner involved in both class actions. “The reported conditions at Woodbridge Vista and the Altamont Care facilities are appalling. As a community we trust these facilities to take care of our loved ones with an expectation that the needs of our most vulnerable are looked after.”
In addition to the class action, Thomson Rogers has contacted the offices of Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Ford to insist that tax payers are not required to pay the significant costs associated with the Canadian Armed Forces deployment and William Osler Health System’s involvement at the Sienna facilities. “These costs should be fully reimbursed by Sienna and not shouldered by the tax payers of Ontario and Canada,” Birman said.
Plaintiffs of the class action suit are seeking compensation for their tragic losses, and according to Thomson Rogers, are in support of the proposed independent commission into Ontario’s long-term care system.
