Family of Stephanie Warriner Brings Lawsuit Against University Health Network
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
The family of Stephanie Warriner has commenced a $16 million lawsuit against University Health Network and five security guards involved in the 2020 hospital death of Stephanie Warriner.
Stephanie was a resident of Scarborough, Ontario, and a 43-year-old mother of five children. Stephanie was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), and had a long history of mental illness, suffering from Bipolar I Disorder and PTSD.
The lawsuit arises from events that occurred in May of 2020, when Stephanie was admitted to Toronto General Hospital with a cough and shortness of breath. The following day, Stephanie left her room in search of food when she was approached by security guards. Stephanie explained to the security guards that she had left her room to get a sandwich, and that she was struggling to breathe. The security guards were aware that Stephanie was not only in obvious respiratory distress but was also suffering from mental health issues.
However, instead of getting Stephanie the medical attention she required, the security guards berated Stephanie, pushed her against the wall and to the ground, and restrained her in the prone position with weight applied to her back. As a result of this use of force, Stephanie went into cardiac arrest and ultimately died twelve days later, on May 27, 2020.
Amanda Rojas-Silva and Shane Hutley, two of the security guards involved in the hospital death of Stephanie Warriner, were arrested by Toronto Police in December of 2020, and charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. However, despite video footage and witness testimony, the Superior Court of Justice released a decision on November 22, 2022, quashing the order of committal on both counts. Rojas-Silva and Hutley will no longer face trial as a result.
Falconers LLP has the honour of representing Denise Warriner as she continues to fight for justice for her sister Stephanie.
Related Documents
Statement of Claim – September 13, 2022
R v. Hutley, 2022 ONSC 6540 (CanLII) – November 22, 2022
Related Media Coverage:
“‘Indifference kills’: Family of woman who died after security altercation files lawsuit against hospital” – The Alex Pierson Show, 640 Toronto Radio – January 19, 2023
“Denise Warriner, who has filed a $16 million lawsuit against University Health Network following the death of her sister of Stephanie” – NEWSTALK 1010 – January 19, 2023
“‘It’s been incredibly dark’: Sister of woman who died after being restrained by TO hospital security guards speaks out after filing lawsuit” – The Alex Pierson Show, 640 Toronto Radio – January 18, 2023
“Family of Stephanie Warriner files $16M lawsuit against hospital, guards over alleged ‘reckless’ force” – CBC News (by Shanifa Nasser) – January 18, 2023
“Judge quashed trial of two Toronto hospital guards in death of maskless woman” – National Post (by Tyler Dawson) – January 17, 2023
“Video captures Covid mask dispute that led to woman’s death in a Canada hospital” – The Independent (by Graeme Massie) – January 16, 2023
“WATCH: Footage released of woman who died in hospital after refusing to wear mask” – Western Standard (by Matthew Horwood) – January 16, 2023
“New hospital video of patient’s death over mask dispute raises questions” – Toronto Sun (by Joe Warmington) – January 15, 2023
“Guards cleared in hospital death of Stephanie Warriner. Here’s the footage no jury will ever see” – CBC News (by Shanifa Nasser) – January 12, 2023
“Stephanie Warriner’s sister blindsided; jury will never see this video footage after guards cleared of charges” – CTV News (by Jon Woodward and Alex Arsenych) – January 12, 2023
