Father Sues Resort After Wife and Son Die of Food Poisoning in Dominican Republic

A Canadian family’s vacation ended in tragedy after consuming contaminated food at a luxury hotel, prompting a lawsuit over alleged negligence.

Stephen Gougeon, a Canadian father, is suing the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort for $6.7 million following the deaths of his wife and son from food poisoning during their stay in December 2023.
The family fell ill hours after eating at the hotel buffet, experiencing severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
Despite repeated pleas for help, the resort's medical staff delayed assistance, citing policies that prohibited leaving the clinic to attend to the family in their hotel room.
The mother, April Gougeon, and eight-year-old son, Oliver, succumbed to the illness within 24 hours of their arrival, while Stephen and his other son, Wesley, recovered after hospitalization.
The lawsuit accuses the hotel of negligence, citing unhygienic food preparation, insufficient staff training on food safety, and delayed medical intervention as contributing factors.