WFN News

'Indian Hospital' Class Action has Commenced 

Those who were placed in an 'Indian Hospital' between  November 1^st 1945 to 1985, may be eligible to join a Class Action Claim against the Attorney General Canada, alleging that the operation of 'Indian Hospitals' was negligent and breached fiduciary duties owed to Indigenous People.

Koskie Minsky LLP, along with Cooper Regel (a member of Masuch Albert LLP), comenced a class action on January 25, 2018 against the Attorney General of Canada. 

The statement of claim alleges, among other things, that between 1945 and 1981 Canada transported indigenous people to these hospitals where they were isolated from their family, friends and communities. The hospitals were substandard, overcrowded, and rife with physical and sexual abuse.   Patients were tied to their beds or placed in full body casts after unnecessary and inappropriate medical procedures. Also, they were not afforded the right to education or to retain their indigenous culture and heritage. Patients left these hospitals physically harmed and psychologically traumatized.

The proposed class includes indigenous people who were admitted to an Indian Hospital operated by Canada from November 1, 1945 until 1981 as well as certain family members.

If you, or someone close to you were placed in an 'Indian Hospital' between November 1st 1945 to 1985 and would like to join the class action, please provide the following:

1. Full Name:
2. Phone Number:
3. Mailing Address:
4. Email Address:

Former Patient Information:

1. Name of the former patient who was admitted to an Indian Hospital:
2. Date of Birth of the former patient:
3. Gender of the former patient:
4. Name of the 'Indian Hospital' the patient admitted to (can be more than one):
5. How many times was the patient admitted to a 'Indian Hospital':
6. Was the former patient transferred from one hospital to another? If yes, please specify what hospital and what dates:
7. At what age was the former patient admitted to a 'Indian Hospital'
8. At what dates was the former patients admitted to a 'Indian Hospital'? If multiple, please specify:
9. Reason for admission:
10. Duration of stay at the 'Indian Hospital'? If multiple, please specify:
11. Dates of discharge from the 'Indian Hospital'? If multiple, please specify:
12. Is the former patient considered Status, Non-Status, Metis or Inuit?
13. Is the former patient willing to speak to lawyers should they wish to obtain more information?
14. Is the former patient willing and able to swear an affidavit? 
15. Whether the former patient experienced any of the following:

•  Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Tied to Hospital Bed
• Full Body Casting
• Partial body Casting
• Force Fed
• Experimental Medical Procedures
• Threats to Life or Well-being
• Isolation from other Patients
• Restriction from Food or Drink
• Surgeries (provide details)

A statement of the claim can be found here.

All claim information can be emailed to Koskie Minsky LLP.