Home / Crime and Justice / Lead Plaintiff in Drug Lawsuit Dies, Mother Steps In
Lead Plaintiff in Drug Lawsuit Dies, Mother Steps In
5 Sep
Summary
- Lead plaintiff Jayde Scott, who alleged unlawful drug administration, has died.
- Her mother may take over the lawsuit against a former Horizon Health nurse.
- The class action lawsuit's future faces potential delays until late 2027.
A key figure in a class-action lawsuit, Jayde Scott, has passed away at the age of 33. Scott was the lead plaintiff alleging that former Horizon Health nurse Nicole Ruest administered a labor-inducing drug without consent. Her death on August 11th has cast uncertainty on the proceedings.
Scott's legal team is now pursuing a motion to have her estate continue as the representative plaintiff. Scott died without a will, and her mother, Beverly Cuppens, is being appointed as estate administrator. Cuppens was present during the delivery and possesses personal knowledge of the events.
Horizon Health's legal representation has expressed concerns about potential delays. The court previously ordered efforts to complete discovery by the end of December. However, the replacement of the lead plaintiff could push this timeline back, with potential court hearings in December and a restart of the discovery process in 2027 if an agreement is not reached.
The lawsuit, initially proposed by Scott in April 2019, has faced significant hurdles, including being rejected by the Court of King's Bench before certification by the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. Lawyers are scheduled to meet again on November 9th to discuss case progress.
