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Upset senior man regarding the class action lawsuit filed against Camilla Care Community

Bereaved families of senior citizens residing in Mississauga’s Camilla Care Community are launching a class action lawsuit alleging negligence in protecting the elderly in the coronavirus crisis. 

This comes after at least 68 residents at the facility passed away from the coronavirus during the beginning of the pandemic.

Camilla Care Community was reportedly struggling with understaffing and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, which contributed to the spread of the coronavirus. Allegations of abuse have also come to the attention of the police, who have now initiated investigations. 

A Coronavirus Class Action Lawsuit

Camilla Care Community is the target of a coronavirus class action lawsuit that is seeking $25 million in damages. Plaintiff Mehran Divanbeigi filed the class action lawsuit in Toronto after her 93-year-old mother Mehri Armand caught the coronavirus while sharing a room with three other residents of Camilla Care Community. According to the law firm, Mehri passed away on May 28. 

The class action lawsuit is reportedly alleging that Camilla Care failed to upgrade the building and aid in social distancing between residents. Camilla Care and many other long-term care homes require four people in a room. The building’s design reportedly contributed to the spread of COVID-19 because the home did not do away with four resident rooms during the pandemic. 

Tragically Unprepared and Under-Staffed

According to the coronavirus class action lawsuit Canada, when Ontario announced the State of Emergency in March, Camilla Care did not implement preventative measures such as social distancing and quarantining those who contracted the virus.

The Camilla Care community was also under-staffed which complicated the circumstances. To make matters worse, there was reportedly a lack of PPE and the staff that did have PPE did not wear it consistently. Some staff members were reportedly seen wearing garbage bags over their uniforms and over their shoes to protect themselves and others.

Staff members claim they did not have enough time to devote basic care to all residents, keep up with housekeeping, and deliver meals on time.

This is far from the first class action lawsuit filed against a long-term care home amid COVID-19. In Ontario, 96 care facilities are facing legal action over neglect and overcrowding during the pandemic. The growing concern over the elderly in care homes during the pandemic pushed the Ontario government to create the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission. The commission is investigating how COVID-19 spread within long-term care homes, the impact on residents, staff, and families, and the adequacy of the preventative measures taken.Upset senior woman regarding the Camilla Care Community class action lawsuit

Allegations of Resident Abuse 

In addition to being a coronavirus hotspot due to alleged overcrowding, Camilla Care is being investigated for abuse of residents. The allegations of negligence and mistreatment within the facility are being investigated by Peel Regional police. As three active investigations into the facility were ongoing and coronavirus death rates spiked, Trillium Health Partners took action to acquire management of the company.

The employees of Camilla Care have been reportedly hitting, force-feeding and degrading residents. Back in June Siena Senior Living, which manages Camilla Care, said that if these allegations are valid, immediate action will be taken. Five staff members at Camilla Care and one staff member from Trillium Health were put on company leave while the investigations are ongoing.

Hopes for Considerable Changes in the Future

Lawyer Stephen Birman of Thomson Rogers reportedly stated that many families have reached out regarding the alleged mistreatment of their family members at Camilla Care. “A lot of these families are vulnerable and the residents are vulnerable and probably would not be able to bring claims on their own.”

This marks the fifth class action lawsuit Canada targeting long-term care facilities taken on by Thomson Rogers. The coronavirus class action is not yet certified, but Birman notes it can take a year before proceeding. 

A Sienna Senior Living spokesperson reportedly released a statement saying in part, “at all times, our highest priority is the health and safety of our residents and team members. We continue to work closely with public health authorities and our healthcare partners to implement all necessary precautions, protocols and directives to protect our residents and team members throughout the pandemic.”

Do you think better preventative measures should have been taken to protect the elderly in long-term care homes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Mehran, The Estate of Mehri Armand, and Class Members are being represented by Stephen Birman at law firm Thomson Rogers. 

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