An Indigenous woman from Nova Scotia has filed a lawsuit against the province’s health authority, alleging negligence in the treatment of her meningitis.
The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, claims that she was misdiagnosed and mistreated by medical professionals at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She states that she was initially diagnosed with a sinus infection and sent home with antibiotics, despite exhibiting symptoms of meningitis.
According to the lawsuit, the woman returned to the hospital the following day with worsening symptoms, including a severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Despite these red flags, she was once again sent home with painkillers and told to rest.
It wasn’t until the woman’s condition deteriorated further and she was rushed to a different hospital that she was properly diagnosed with meningitis. By this point, the disease had progressed to a life-threatening stage, and she was left with permanent neurological damage.
The lawsuit alleges that the health authority and its medical staff failed to provide the woman with the necessary standard of care, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. It also claims that the woman’s Indigenous identity played a role in the negligence she experienced, citing systemic racism and discrimination within the healthcare system.
The woman’s lawyer, Ray Wagner, stated that the lawsuit is seeking compensation for the woman’s physical and emotional suffering, as well as punitive damages to hold the health authority accountable for their actions.
In response to the lawsuit, the Nova Scotia Health Authority released a statement expressing their sympathy for the woman’s experience and stating that they take all allegations of negligence seriously. They also stated that they are committed to addressing any issues of systemic racism within the healthcare system.
This lawsuit sheds light on the ongoing issue of healthcare disparities faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. It serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done in addressing systemic racism and ensuring that all individuals receive equal and adequate healthcare.
The case is set to go to trial in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and the woman’s legal team hopes that it will bring about much-needed changes in the healthcare system to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
