Manitoba Revera Class Action Lawsuit Officially Certified
Winnipeg, MB – Diamond and Diamond Lawyers are pleased to announce a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Associate Chief Justice Shane Perlmutter of the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench has officially certified a class action lawsuit against Revera, the former operator of the Maples Long Term Care Home, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).
This certification allows the legal action to proceed on behalf of a defined class, including any resident who contracted COVID-19 at the Maples facility during the outbreak period (October 20, 2020, to January 12, 2021), the estates of those who passed away, and their family members as defined under the Fatal Accidents Act.
The Allegations
The lawsuit, spearheaded by representative plaintiffs Eddie Calisto-Tavares and Lawrence Lewsey—both of whom lost parents during the outbreak—alleges that Revera was negligent in its planning and response to the virus. The claim further asserts that the WRHA failed to address critical staffing shortages that left residents vulnerable.
The Maples outbreak remains the deadliest in Manitoba’s history. During the three-month period, 157 of the facility’s 200 residents tested positive for the virus, resulting in 56 deaths. Justice Perlmutter noted in his decision that Maples had the highest “attack rate” (78.5%) and death percentage (23.5%) among large personal care homes in Winnipeg.
A Path Toward Accountability
“We are elated by the Court’s decision,” said Darryl Singer, Head of the Class Action Group at Diamond and Diamond Lawyers. “Getting a class action certified is a rigorous process. This ruling validates that there are common issues that must be addressed in a court of law. Our clients are seeking more than just financial compensation; they are seeking systemic change to ensure no other family has to endure this kind of tragedy.”
Representative plaintiff Eddie Calisto-Tavares, who was granted special permission to care for her father in his final days, expressed hope that the suit will bring lasting awareness. “We cannot forget what happened. Those residents mattered,” she told media outlets following the ruling.
Next Steps
Now that the class action is certified, the “real work begins” as the case moves toward the discovery phase and eventually a trial, unless a settlement is reached. Diamond and Diamond remains committed to advocating for the rights of seniors and their families.
For more information or to see if you are eligible to join the class, please visit our Revera Manitoba Class Action page.
