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Veteran launches $20 million suit
November 29, 2013 - 7:36pm BY MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE STAF REPORTER
A Dartmouth-area soldier who was deployed in Afghanistan has submitted a $20-million statement of claim with the Federal Court.
Cpl. Thomas Robert Dixon’s claim, filed Friday in Halifax, alleges the Canadian military did not adequately address his post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The damages caused by the negligence of the co-defendants caused and continue to cause severe mental stress on the plaintiff in the form of PTSD,” the document says.
Defendants include military brass and senior federal government politicians. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.
Dixon’s uncle, Bill McFarlane of Cole Harbour, is representing him. He is not a lawyer and is a former navy sailor.
McFarlane acknowledged in an interview that there is “a shock factor” associated with the $20-million figure. He said it is meant to get the attention of those he and his nephew allege dropped the ball on Dixon’s file.
Asked what the $20 million would be used for if Dixon wins, McFarlane said one option would be to use some of it to provide for the plaintiff and his family and part of it to “help other vets and help other lawyers of other vets sue the government.”
He said Dixon, a married father of four who is in his 30s, has been in the regular Forces for 12 years, following a stint in the reserves, and is still in the military.
He said his nephew has made suicide threats, continues to be stressed out and has gone to the hospital seeking mental health help.
Dixon and other current members, or veterans, of the Canadian Forces haven’t received the assistance they deserve, McFarlane said.
Dixon did one tour of duty in Afghanistan years ago and since then has been experiencing a lack of support from the military, he alleged.
“The federal government isn’t taking this matter seriously,” McFarlane said. “It’s time the vets stood up and stuck it to the man.”
Ottawa has faced criticism in the past over its handling of veterans’ needs, but in March Veterans Affairs Canada told CBC News it is helping more than 16,200 vets who have mental health conditions.
A spokesman said the department’s case managers and clinical-care managers work with veterans with complex needs, including mental-health problems. The department, the CBC reported, also has a suicide-prevention framework and an addiction strategy.
Veteran launches $20 million suit
November 29, 2013 - 7:36pm BY MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE STAF REPORTER
A Dartmouth-area soldier who was deployed in Afghanistan has submitted a $20-million statement of claim with the Federal Court.
Cpl. Thomas Robert Dixon’s claim, filed Friday in Halifax, alleges the Canadian military did not adequately address his post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The damages caused by the negligence of the co-defendants caused and continue to cause severe mental stress on the plaintiff in the form of PTSD,” the document says.
Defendants include military brass and senior federal government politicians. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.
Dixon’s uncle, Bill McFarlane of Cole Harbour, is representing him. He is not a lawyer and is a former navy sailor.
McFarlane acknowledged in an interview that there is “a shock factor” associated with the $20-million figure. He said it is meant to get the attention of those he and his nephew allege dropped the ball on Dixon’s file.
Asked what the $20 million would be used for if Dixon wins, McFarlane said one option would be to use some of it to provide for the plaintiff and his family and part of it to “help other vets and help other lawyers of other vets sue the government.”
He said Dixon, a married father of four who is in his 30s, has been in the regular Forces for 12 years, following a stint in the reserves, and is still in the military.
He said his nephew has made suicide threats, continues to be stressed out and has gone to the hospital seeking mental health help.
Dixon and other current members, or veterans, of the Canadian Forces haven’t received the assistance they deserve, McFarlane said.
Dixon did one tour of duty in Afghanistan years ago and since then has been experiencing a lack of support from the military, he alleged.
“The federal government isn’t taking this matter seriously,” McFarlane said. “It’s time the vets stood up and stuck it to the man.”
Ottawa has faced criticism in the past over its handling of veterans’ needs, but in March Veterans Affairs Canada told CBC News it is helping more than 16,200 vets who have mental health conditions.
A spokesman said the department’s case managers and clinical-care managers work with veterans with complex needs, including mental-health problems. The department, the CBC reported, also has a suicide-prevention framework and an addiction strategy.