Quebec Ambulance Service Ordered to Pay $442K After Teen Dies from Allergy

A Quebec ambulance service has been ordered to pay $442,000 in damages after failing to follow protocols, leading to the death of an 18-year-old man. The ruling came from the Quebec Superior Court, which found that Urgences-santé’s negligence directly contributed to the young man’s death.

The victim, Nutin McFarland, was an 18-year-old Innu man who had moved from the Maliotenam Innu reserve near Sept-Îles to Montreal to attend junior college. McFarland was otherwise healthy but had a serious allergy to peanuts and tree nuts.

The tragic event occurred in Verdun, a suburb of Montreal, at the home of his girlfriend’s father. McFarland ate a tuna sandwich he found in the fridge, which triggered a severe anaphylactic reaction. Despite the emergency, the hospital was only 700 metres away, yet McFarland called 911 for help.

Emergency responders arrived and attempted to treat him. They used an EpiPen and administered oxygen, but the ambulance team failed to act urgently. The court found that the ambulance technicians did not immediately transfer him to the nearby hospital nor did they inform the hospital that McFarland was arriving, which is standard protocol in such emergencies.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Jeffrey Edwards concluded in a ruling dated August 29 that the delay was directly responsible for McFarland’s death. He wrote,

“The court concludes that Urgences-Santé’s negligence, including the failure to follow applicable intervention protocols, to make a hasty departure, to provide urgent transport and to send notice to the hospital, was the direct cause of Nutin’s death.”

McFarland’s family said the incident has left them devastated. They had hoped that the emergency system would act quickly to save his life, especially since the hospital was just a short distance away. The family’s lawyers argued that if the ambulance had acted properly, McFarland could have survived.

This case highlights the importance of following emergency medical protocols strictly. In situations involving severe allergic reactions, every minute counts. The use of an EpiPen and oxygen is often not enough if the patient is not rushed to a hospital for further treatment.

Urgences-santé, the Quebec ambulance service, has faced criticism for its actions in this case. The court’s ruling emphasizes that emergency responders have a duty to act swiftly and communicate with hospitals to ensure patients receive life-saving care without delay.

The tragedy has sparked discussion about emergency medical response in Quebec, particularly in urban areas where hospitals may be close by but proper procedures are not always followed. Public health experts say that adherence to protocols, proper training, and immediate communication can make the difference between life and death in allergy emergencies.

In memory of Nutin McFarland, his community and friends have remembered him as a bright, young man with a promising future. His death has brought attention to the critical importance of quick and proper emergency care for people with severe allergies.