Court Rules Cape Town Casino Liable in Child Electrocution Incident

Incident Overview and Legal Proceedings

A tragic event occurred at a well-known casino in Cape Town, South Africa, when a young girl was electrocuted near an ice rink. This incident led to legal action taken by the girl’s parents against the casino operator, SunWest International.

On August 5, the Western Cape High Court delivered a ruling holding SunWest International, the company managing GrandWest Casino, responsible for damages due to gross negligence.

Details of the Electrocution Incident

The incident took place during a family visit in January 2020. The child was standing near the ice rink, observing the skaters, while holding onto a metal pole. Suddenly, she suffered an electric shock from an exposed wire, causing her to scream and tremble. Her father noticed burn marks on her hands soon after. Emergency medical personnel responded swiftly and took the child to the hospital.

Casino’s Admission and Court Findings

According to the lawsuit, the casino’s floor manager instructed staff not to disconnect the faulty wire immediately so that a thorough damage assessment could be conducted. Evidence presented in court included testimony from a GrandWest Casino engineer who acknowledged that exposed wires had not been properly removed, which directly caused the electrocution.

Although the casino admitted fault, they contested the claim of gross negligence by highlighting warning signs placed around the venue about safety procedures. However, the judge ruled that these signs did not absolve the casino of its legal responsibilities.

Outcome and Recovery

Fortunately, the child fully recovered following prompt medical treatment. The court’s decision emphasizes the accountability of the casino to ensure the safety of its visitors and to manage hazards responsibly to prevent future incidents.