Wife of man who died at Keeyask sues Hydro, contractor

The wife of a man who died while working in a remote Manitoba Hydro camp is suing the Crown corporation and a contractor, alleging they didn't do enough to ensure he had prompt access to medical care.

Valerie Head is seeking financial compensation from Hydro and BBE Hydro Constructors GP Inc. for loss of financial support following the Oct. 16, 2014 death of Joseph Head at the Keeyask hydroelectric project site.

In her statement of claim against the companies, Valerie alleges they should have known a person in a work camp of about 800 employees might take ill or be injured and require emergency medical care.

• Joseph Head's family wants answers in Manitoba Hydro camp worker's death

When Joseph, a 65-year-old carpenter, became sick and lost consciousness, he didn't receive medical care and wasn't immediately taken to hospital, she alleges.

Valerie previously told CBC News Joseph experienced a brain bleed that caused a stroke, a heart attack and ultimately, his death

Camp paramedics took him by ambulance to hospital in Gillam, but she said she believes he'd still be alive today of the medical response time was faster or if there was an air ambulance at the camp.

The dam is located 725 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg on the Nelson River, and 30 kilometres west of the town of Gillam.

"The living conditions at the Keeyask work camp [and]the accessibility to medical treatment are entirely in control of the two defendants," the Court of Queen's Bench lawsuit claims.

"[They]owed a duty of care to insure that that in the event of illness or injury, [Joseph]would receive reasonable medical care within a reasonable period of time."

The allegations made in the lawsuit have not been proven and no statement of defence has been filed. In the lawsuit, Valerie saidshe is disabled and cannot work. She was dependent on her husband`s income, she states.

Hydro previously said there were six licenced and registered paramedics on site and the medical care provided meets or exceeds provincial guidelines. All protocols were followed in the case and the ambulance team arrived within 30 minutes a set provincial response time, Hydro said.