Death from Falling Through Sports Park Net... Local Government and Management Corporation Held Liable for Compensation

Gwangju High Court Rules "Insufficient Safety Measures"
Orders 97 Million Won Compensation to Each Bereaved Family Member

The family of a pedestrian who died after falling at a sports park in Buk-gu, Gwangju, has partially won a damages lawsuit filed against the Buk-gu District Office and the Facilities Management Corporation.

On June 9, the Civil Division 3 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Choi Changhun) ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in part in the appeal trial of a damages claim filed by two family members of Mr. A against Buk-gu, Gwangju, and the Buk-gu Facilities Management Corporation. The court ordered the defendants to pay each plaintiff 97,386,760 won.

The accident occurred on March 22, 2023, at a sports park in Buk-gu, Gwangju. At the time, Mr. A climbed onto a net installed for lighting and ventilation at a swimming pool. The connecting rope snapped, causing him to fall about 10 meters and resulting in his death.

The bereaved family claimed that the facility lacked adequate safety measures and filed a damages claim totaling 479,806,754 won against Buk-gu and the Facilities Management Corporation, both responsible for managing the site.

The court of first instance acknowledged that the defendants had failed to take sufficient preventive measures to avert the accident, but also found Mr. A partially at fault. It ordered the defendants to pay each plaintiff 254,903,377 won.

The appellate court adjusted the proportion of fault, reducing the compensation amount. However, it stated, "The risk of falling had already been pointed out even before the facility began operation," and added, "It is difficult to conclude that appropriate safety measures were in place."