A family from Cross Lake First Nation is launching a lawsuit against a northern Manitoba federal health authority after 32-year-old Tyson McKay died of a heart attack.
According to the statement of claim, 32-year-old Tyson McKay’s death could have been prevented if he had received the right diagnosis.
The statement of claim, filed by the family on Wednesday, said McKay went to a nursing station at Cross Lake in June of 2015 complaining of chest pain, cough and fever.
The lawsuit alleges that McKay waited an hour before seeing a nurse for about 12 minutes.
It said Tyson was diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease without first performing an EKG or any other heart-related tests.
The statement alleges the nurse gave McKay an antacid and a Tylenol before sending him home.
According to the lawsuit, Tyler’s condition worsened over the next day. That night, a family member found McKay collapsed on his couch. It said McKay was rushed to the nursing station where he died of a heart attack.
“Tyson's life was cut short, a simple EKG, blood work, or even a medical transport could have saved his life," McKay’s brother Kelvin said during a press conference Wednesday morning.
The federal government and Venture Healthcare Inc., the agency that recruits nurses for the nursing station, are named in the suit, but neither has commented on the claims.
“The government of Manitoba will review the statement of claim,” a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice said in a statement to CTV. “Since this matter is currently before the courts, we are unable to provide further comment.”
The McKay family hopes this lawsuit helps improve health care for northern Manitoba communities.
None of the allegations contained in the claim have been proven in court.
