A Burlington man is pursuing a $5-million legal battle after a routine medical visit took a devastating turn. Darwin Allen alleges he contracted hepatitis C following an injection at a local clinic, a claim that exposes potentially alarming lapses in sterile procedure.
The lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court, directly names Halton Family Health Centre Inc. and Dr. Timothy Salter, accusing them of negligence and a critical breach of their duty of care to patients. Allen’s ordeal began in September 2023 when he sought treatment for a simple heel cut, unaware of the hidden danger that awaited.
Hepatitis C is a silent threat, a viral infection that slowly attacks the liver, often without immediate symptoms. The insidious nature of the disease means years, even decades, can pass before an individual realizes they are infected, allowing the virus to inflict significant damage.
The turning point came in November 2025, when Allen received a chilling notification from Halton Region Public Health. The letter detailed identified failures in infection control practices at the clinic, specifically concerning the use of unsterile needles with multidose vials of anesthetic.
A public notice issued by the health unit in September 2025 had already signaled a problem, prompting Dr. Salter to seek testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. This internal alert foreshadowed the grim diagnosis Allen would soon receive.
December 2025 brought the devastating confirmation: Allen tested positive for hepatitis C. The news irrevocably altered his life, introducing a chronic illness and a lifetime of health concerns stemming from a single injection.
“No patient should walk into a clinic for routine treatment and leave with a life-altering infection,” stated a legal representative. The core of this case isn’t simply about financial compensation, but about demanding accountability and reinforcing the fundamental standards of medical safety.
The lawsuit asserts that the clinic and doctor failed to uphold essential infection prevention protocols, specifically neglecting to ensure proper needle sterilization. It further contends that the walk-in clinic bears responsibility for the actions of the physician practicing within its walls.
Concerns are growing that Allen may not be the sole victim. Investigators believe others may have been exposed and are urging anyone who received a similar public health notice from Halton Region Public Health, or who harbors concerns about their care at the clinic, to come forward.
