Home / Health / Quebec Hospital Neglect Leads to MAID; Family Sues
Quebec Hospital Neglect Leads to MAID; Family Sues
27 Nov, 2025
Summary
- A quadriplegic man died after developing a severe bedsore in a Quebec hospital.
- His family is filing a class-action lawsuit over alleged lack of a therapeutic mattress.
- A coroner's report urged health authorities to improve patient care practices.
A family is initiating a class-action lawsuit against the province of Quebec following the death of Normand Meunier, a 66-year-old quadriplegic man. Meunier passed away on March 29, 2025, after requesting medical assistance in dying (MAID) due to a severe bedsore he developed during a hospital stay. Advocates and his widow argue that a lack of a special therapeutic mattress during his four-day stay on a stretcher contributed to the injury.
The announcement of the potential lawsuit follows the release of a Quebec coroner's report that investigated Meunier's death. The report urged provincial health authorities to enhance their patient care protocols. The legal action aims to represent individuals who have suffered similar outcomes after hospitalization without adequate pressure-relieving equipment, leading to the development or worsening of bedsores.
Sylvie Brosseau, Meunier's partner, is also pursuing a separate lawsuit for damages. The legal team intends to seek an out-of-court settlement. While the local health authority acknowledged the coroner's recommendations, they stated they cannot comment further at this stage but affirmed their commitment to improving practices.
