Casino in Cape Town Faces Lawsuit Over Electrocution Mishap

In a landmark ruling, the Western Cape High Court has found the GrandWest Casino in Cape Town, South Africa, liable for gross negligence following an incident in January 2020, where a four-year-old girl was electrocuted near an ice rink on the casino premises.

The court's ruling, which secures a qualified win for the girl's parents, was based on the grounds of gross negligence. Despite the casino's attempts to fight the charges, it was established that GrandWest failed to ensure safety measures preventing access or exposure to hazardous electrical wiring.

The incident involved a child who was holding a metal pole when she came into contact with an exposed live electrical wire. As a result, she was rushed to the hospital and made a full recovery. However, she exhibited burnt marks on her palms after the electrocution.

The judge's ruling emphasised that gross negligence indicates a severe lack of care beyond ordinary negligence, reflecting a reckless disregard for safety that led to the child's electrocution. The court highlighted that the casino's posting of safety protocol signs did not absolve it of responsibility.

The GrandWest Casino admitted fault in the matter, with an engineer admitting that the leftover wires were the cause of the child's electrocution. The floor manager at the casino was also instructed not to disconnect the wire before a damage report.

The verdict holds GrandWest Casino accountable for the incident, highlighting the seriousness of safety compliance in public entertainment spaces. The case has been noted as a significant marker for legal accountability in South Africa, with demands for justice and systemic improvements in safety enforcement at large venues like casinos.

No detailed information on the specific legal penalties or compensations awarded was found in the search results. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in public spaces, particularly in entertainment venues.