The Toulouse Regional Court (TGI) found two Toulouse-based associations, accredited by the Civil Protection authorities, liable following the death of a triathlete in 2014.
The two first-aid organisations -Tournefeuille Water Rescue Service in Tournefeuille and the First-aid volunteers from Uglas and the Plateau- have "made a series of mistakes in the care provided to the victim" the judges believe. Indeed, they are said to have been slow to diagnose heatstroke, to administer first aid and to contact the fire brigade.
"He was shoved into an ambulance with no air-conditioning in 30 °C heat in the shade, whilst his wife was screaming that he needed to be cooled down" the family’s solicitor said, adding that "The mistakes made by the rescue workers are massive".
€600,000 in compensation for the family
The court found that the organisations should have contacted the emergency services sooner and that the presence of a doctor would have enabled an earlier diagnosis, as well as prompt medical treatment. Furthermore, the Regional Court has ordered that his widow and two children be awarded compensation of 600,000 euros.
"This case and the ruling just handed down by the Toulouse Regional Court highlight the issue of the organisation of emergency services at sporting events, which are very often unable to deal effectively with accidents that occur, particularly at large-scale events", told our colleagues at The Dispatch, Mr Pascal Nakache, the lawyer representing the victim’s widow.
The independent expert, appointed by the Toulouse Regional Court, had concluded that the errors made by those involved had resulted in an 80 per cent reduction in the patient’s chances of survival. The patient died three days later.