A woman died in a London health club when a lift that she was exiting suddenly fell and stopped between 2 floors, dragging her between the wall and the side of the lift. The woman was freed by the fire crew and rushed to hospital however she later died from her injuries.
The BBC reports that Mrs Katarzyna Woja was killed in the accident which happened in 2003 and the trial was due to begin on 09/03/10 at Southwark Crown Court. However, the company responsible for the maintenance of the lift, Thyssenkrupp Elavator UK, have now pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that people not in their employment were not exposed to safety risks, failing to maintain the lift properly in accordance with their obligations and failing to adequately investigate the cause of previous failures; offences which fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
In addition to Thyssenkrupp, the gym company, Holmes Place Health Clubs, have also admitted to charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act and both companies were due to be sentenced on 14/10/2010.
The admission of guilt by the companies involved may seem to many to be an appropriate outcome however, as a full trial will not now take place they will not be required to explain their actions, or lack thereof, and the victims widower has stated that this had robbed her family of justice as they will now never know how the accident happened. He said that “After 7 long years, the companies involved have walked away determined that they will never have to explain why simple maintenance was not carried out that would have saved my wife’s life”.
This is just one of a worryingly increasing number of cases were negligence and a failure to comply with health and safety regulations has led to innocent people being injured or worse, as in this case. If you are unfortunate enough to be injured as a result of the negligence of others, be sure to contact a trusted law firm who specialises in personal injury claims and who will bring justice to those responsible for causing you injuries.
