Disneyland Paris Fined for Involuntary Manslaughter 10 Years After Technician's Death

Disneyland Paris, through its operating company Euro Disney, has been ordered to pay a fine of 225,000 euros for involuntary manslaughter. The conviction stems from the electrocution death of a 45-year-old technician a decade ago, on April 2, 2016. The incident occurred while the employee was performing maintenance on the Phantom Manor attraction, specifically attempting to replace a projector light bulb.

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The failures in safety and prudence obligations were totally attributable to Euro Disney.

The court of Meaux found the company responsible for the death. During the July 7 hearing, the prosecutor noted that the failures in safety and prudence obligations were "totally attributable to Euro Disney." This ruling comes ten years after the tragic accident, bringing a measure of legal closure for the victim's family. The two daughters of the deceased technician, who were civil parties in the trial, have reportedly received approximately 113,000 euros in compensation.

While Euro Disney faced conviction, Bureau Veritas, the company responsible for regulatory checks on the park's electrical installations, was acquitted. In response to the verdict, António Ferreira, secretary general of the Unsa Disneyland Paris union, stated that while the judgment cannot bring back their colleague, Olivier, they hope it raises awareness among management. He emphasized that employees are exposed to risks due to "chronic understaffing" and "degraded working conditions." The union also clarified that the technician's professionalism was never in doubt, attributing the fatal incident to organizational failures.

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This judgment will not bring back our colleague Olivier, who died while responding to an emergency on an attraction, but we hope it will make management aware that they are putting their employees at risk, with chronically understaffed maintenance teams.

The union's statement highlighted that the chronic understaffing and poor working conditions continue to endanger maintenance staff at the park. The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when safety protocols and adequate staffing levels are not maintained in high-risk work environments. The fine imposed on Euro Disney underscores the legal accountability for workplace safety failures.

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This judgment says one simple thing, Olivier's professionalism was never in question. It is the organization of work, chronic understaffing, and degraded working conditions that, even today, endanger maintenance employees.