Keith Fraser (Vancouver Province) – An RCMP officer is suing the Mounties after suffering an injury during dive training near Nanaimo two years ago.
Beverly May Pitawanakwat says her bosses were negligent in their treatment and care of her following the incident on June 6, 2008.
“The defendants had been warned in the months prior to the incident that the safety protocols in the RCMP diving team were insufficient,” says a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court.
“The plaintiff, an experienced diver, conducted a dive that was entirely controlled by the defendants. This dive caused the plaintiff to suffer a Type II Decompression Sickness,” it says.
The lawsuit says that following the incident, the RCMP chose to evacuate her to the military hospital in Victoria rather than Vancouver General Hospital, which is required by RCMP policies.
“This caused the plaintiff to receive less than appropriate medical care.”
Pitawanakwat was the left alone and without monitoring in hotels on Vancouver Island and when her symptoms worsened, she had to transport herself to VGH for further treatment, the suit says.
RCMP refused to pay for legitimate medical expenses and compelled her to return to work contrary to medical advice, causing her mental distress, it says.
No statement of defence has been filed. A statement of claim contains allegations that have not been proven in court.
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