Family of Filipino helper killed by falling cabinet sues Hong Kong employers
Espinar Raquel Fortes had been asleep at time of fatal accident on October 3, 2014
The employers of a Filipino domestic helper who died in her sleep after being crushed by a heavy wooden cabinet that fell from her bedroom wall have been sued by her dependants for an unspecified sum in damages.
The fatal accident took place at the Metropolis in Tseung Kwan O on October 3, 2014.
The Post reported that the cabinet had been fixed to a wall, directly above Espinar Raquel Fortes’ bed, before it fell and struck her on the head.
Police were called after the five-year-old boy sleeping beside the helper escaped injury and ran to the next room to tell his father.
Filipino helper dies after cabinet falls on her as she sleeps
Fortes, 45, was taken unconscious to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where she was certified dead.
In a writ filed to the High Court on Tuesday, her lawyers, who are also acting for her dependants, including an Espinar Anita Fortes, claimed that the victim had died as a consequence of her employers’ negligence and breach of duty of care as well as the implied terms under the employment contract signed with defendants Ip Ka-man and Cheung Yat-ki.
They are now seeking damages, along with interest and costs, in accordance with the Fatal Accidents Ordinance and the Law Amendment and Reform (Consolidation) Ordinance.
A checklist review hearing has been scheduled for February 22 next year.
