Stanhope Beach Resort settles norovirus lawsuit
The owners of Stanhope Beach Resort have settled a class-action lawsuit over an outbreak of norovirus three years ago.
More than 140 people are entitled to some of the $300,000 settlement package.
Stanhope Beach Resort, on P.E.I.'s North Shore, used to be a popular spot for weddings.
That was true in the summer of 2012 when a number of wedding parties in August and September of that year ended badly.
An outbreak of norovirus left hundreds of people sick, with varying degrees of vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and fever.
Newfoundland lawyer Ches Crosbie represented those people Monday in P.E.I. Supreme Court.
"It ruined what otherwise should have been a joyous occasion for the wedding parties. And most people were actually guests at these wedding parties," said Crosbie.
The court granted a joint request, from Crosbie and from lawyer Gregory Cann, representing the resort, to accept the terms of the settlement.
The settlement includes a payment to each wedding guest of several hundred dollars for general damages.
The bride and groom of each wedding party will receive $2,200 in general damages.
Plaintiffs may be entitled to additional payment, for lost wages and other expenses.
The settlement does not include any admission of liability on the part of Stanhope Beach Resort, neither for the cause of the norovirus outbreak, nor for the manner in which the outbreak was managed.
One of the plantiffs, Deborah Basco of Vancouver, said, it was a "horrible" experience.
"My husband and I were both quite ill. I'm happy. It just gives an opportunity for lots of people involved in something like this to feel that there's been some justice."
The resort was destroyed by an accidental fire two years ago.
The owners of the property, D.P Murphy Inc., say they are pleased the lawsuit has been resolved.
Notice of Monday's settlement will now be advertised in local media, as required by law.
Victims are entitled to opt out of the class-action settlement and sue the resort on their own, but so far, no one has done that.
