Manitoba man sues WRHA, alleging cancer medication mix-up led to ‘no feeling’ in lower body

A Brandon man is suing the WRHA and three health-care workers alleging the drugs he was given during cancer treatment left him without feeling in his lower body

A Brandon man is suing the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and three health-care workers, alleging they gave him a combination of drugs during cancer treatment that left him without feeling in the lower half of his body.

Grant Stanton filed a lawsuit in the Court of King’s Bench on June 9. According to the statement of claim, Stanton was transferred to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Nov. 15, 2024 for cancer treatment.

Stanton says he was prescribed methotrexate, a chemotherapy agent as part of his treatment.

He alleges that during his treatment in January 2025, he was prescribed piperacillin and tazobactam (a combination penicillin antibiotic), which the lawsuit said is in violation of standard practice.

“Piperacillin and tazobactam are well-known to reduce methotrexate elimination, resulting in prolonged toxic concentrations of methotrexate,” the lawsuit reads.

Court documents say two days later, it was determined he was wrongly prescribed the medication, and a new prescription was ordered. However, Stanton claims the mix-up has led to him experiencing numbness from his chest through his lower extremities.

“[He] has severe neuropathy from his chest down and he feels numbness and tingling all the time and it never goes away,” the lawsuit reads. “He has almost no feeling in the lower part of his body.”

The lawsuit claims Stanton now has difficulty moving, sleeping and going to the bathroom.

“All of Grant’s injuries, current mobility and consequential struggles have taken a serious toll on his quality of life, his psychological state, and hope for the future,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges Stanton’s ability to be treated for any future cancer has been diminished, saying kidney damage and damage from the methotrexate toxicity limits his treatment options.

Stanton is seeking an undisclosed amount for damages and the cost of future care.

None of the claims have been proven in court.

The WRHA has declined comment on the lawsuit, as it’s before the court. No statement of defence has been filed.