Firm liable over helicopter death
Posted: January 20, 2015
Posted in: Workplace Injuries Wrongful & Accidental Death
The widow of a recently deceased businessman has won a High Court claim against his employers following a helicopter crash that cost him his life. 37-year-old Tomas Dusek, from Buckinghamshire, worked for StormHarbour Securities when the accident happened. He had been placed on duty for the independent global markets and financial advice service firm when the helicopter crashed.
The Sikorsky helicopter firm leased a helicopter for the trip in the Andes Mountains in Peru in June 2012. All fourteen members of crew were killed in the accident. Mr Justice Hamblen ruled at the London High Court that Mr Dusek’s employer, StormHarbour Securities, was responsible for the fatal accident as they failed to ensure that he had a safe place of work. He added that the firm had a duty of care over Mr Dusek, and should not have placed him under any unnecessary risk.
“He was a devoted family man”
It was heard in court that if StormHarbour had in fact carried out a risk assessment of the situation, they would have advised Mr Dusek not to board the flight. Mr Justice Hamblen said: “Although Mr Dusek was prepared to take risks, he did so on a calculated basis. He was also a devoted family man.”
Mr Dusek had two children, aged eight and five, who continue to live at their family home at Gerrards Cross. Mrs Dusek said: “My husband’s life was thrown away by StormHarbour’s disregard for his safety.” Damages are still to be discussed.
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