The family of a Second World War veteran is suing a Montreal-area senior's residence after the 94-year-old man died days after being scalded in a bathtub.
Willard Wilson died in January 2009 after being burned in his bathtub at the West Island Manor in Pierrefonds, Que.
He had fallen into the bathtub while shaving and accidentally turned the water on when trying to get out. The water was 60 degrees Celsius.
Wilson was stuck there for 20 minutes and suffered third-degree burns.
"My father was living at this residence to be protected and he ended up dying because . . . he had an accident that should not have happened and if it did happen, it should not have killed him," Eric Wilson said at a press conference today.
"The last few minutes of my dad's life must have been agony."
Wilson's death was the second such death at the residence in two years. The other death was subject to a Coroners report in June 2008.
The senior's home is denying any responsibility and says the family is trying to profit from Wilson's death.
The home installed a hot-water safety device on November 30, 2009, which the Wilson family said was far too late.
Between 2000 and 2007, 17 people in Quebec died from scald burns from hot water, mostly seniors.
A Quebec coroner has recommended installing hot-water safety devices in all senior's homes.
With a report by CTV Montreal's Rob Lurie
