$2.5 Million Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Delayed 911 Response in Guelph

A lawsuit seeking $2.5 million has been filed in connection with the death of a Guelph man, alleging that a delayed emergency response contributed to his passing. The claim names multiple defendants, including the City of Guelph, the County of Wellington, emergency service providers, and other involved parties.

The lawsuit asserts that the man’s death resulted from a delay in emergency medical response following a 911 call placed by his wife on February 22, 2023. The statement of claim alleges that the delay deprived him of critical medical intervention.

According to the lawsuit, the man initially reported experiencing heartburn before becoming unresponsive. At approximately 7:08 p.m., his wife discovered him unconscious and contacted 911. The call reportedly disconnected unexpectedly after she provided her address and phone number.

Following the disconnection, 911 dispatchers attempted to re-establish contact for four minutes before deploying paramedics. The lawsuit claims this delay hindered timely intervention. The fire department was ultimately notified, arriving at 7:18 p.m., followed by paramedics three minutes later. The man was pronounced dead at 7:56 p.m.

The legal claim argues that emergency operators failed to classify the situation as an immediate medical emergency and that responders closest to the scene could have arrived sooner. The lawsuit also states that the man’s wife has suffered emotional distress and financial hardship due to the loss of her husband, citing loss of income and support.

None of the allegations have been proven in court, and no statements of defense have been filed as of now. Spokespersons for both the County of Wellington and the City of Guelph have declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.