Manitoba man sues health authorities, claims he waited 37 hours to have appendix removed

An Indigenous man is suing two Manitoba health authorities and a doctor alleging medical negligence and systemic discrimination.

A Manitoba man is suing two provincial health authorities, alleging they dismissed his concerns at multiple hospitals two years ago, leading to his appendix rupturing.

Justin Flett from Tataskweyak Cree Nation filed a statement of claim against the Northern Regional Health Authority, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and a doctor, alleging they didn’t provide proper care and ignored his symptoms in January 2023, symptoms that ended up being an appendicitis.

The statement of claim was filed on Dec. 19, 2024.

The claim states Flett was in The Pas visiting his mother in January 2023. On Jan. 14, he experienced sharp abdominal pain and nausea that worsened through the night. The next morning, he attended St. Anthony’s General Hospital in The Pas, saying that it hurt to sit, stand, or move around.

Flett alleges he was given the lowest-priority triage score, and when he was seen by the doctor, his symptoms were dismissed, with Fleet saying the doctor told him, “We don’t treat you here for hangovers.”

Flett, who according to the claim had seen the same doctor the day before for an injured hand, said he was not hung over. He was allegedly told by the doctor, “There was nothing he could do.”

Flett left the hospital and took a bus from The Pas to Winnipeg that night to get medical care. When he arrived by cab at Seven Oaks Hospital, he was triaged, given a higher triage score, and laid on the floor for several hours awaiting doctor attention.

Flett claimed his vitals were not checked until 4 a.m. after he flagged down a doctor. The doctor examined him, and determined he was suffering from appendicitis.

Flett was transferred to Grace Hospital for surgery eight hours later, with him alleging his appendix ruptured before the transfer.

According to the claim, Flett had waited for 37 hours to have his pain treated and his appendix removed. He alleges the staff at St. Anthony’s and Seven Oaks responsible for transportation and triage, “callously, recklessly and/or negligently ignored” him, even as he complained about severe pain or was lying on the floor displaying signs of medical distress.

As a result of this, Flett claims he suffered from a secondary pneumonia infection in February 2023, developed a chronic bowel condition, and can no longer work. He is seeking damages.

None of the claims have been tested in court, and no statements of defence have been filed.

The WRHA and Northern Health Region both said they cannot comment on the case as it is before the courts.