Daughter takes Bunnings to court over father's tragic store death
Dear SDC members, do you remember the horrible news about a Melbourne man who passed away after an alleged altercation with two security guards at his local Bunnings store in 2016?
Anthony James Georgiou, 31, is claimed to have stolen a gas cylinder and a saw blade from a Frankston Bunnings before Abdul Habib Brenzai and George Oyee, the store's security contractors, tried to stop him.
Allegedly, Georgiou was wrestled to the ground and put into a headlock by the officers and was heard screaming for help and gasping for air. But the guards did not stop, and he soon lost consciousness. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he ultimately passed away.
Devastatingly, the deceased man had a daughter–who has not been named as she is a minor– and she is now suing Bunnings Warehouse, the two security guards, as well as their employer, New Security Solutions Group, for ‘psychological injury, shock and financial loss’ caused by her father's death.
The lawsuit statement, as filed by firm Slater and Gordon, claims the security officers did not show reasonable care towards Georgiou and engaged in a 'prolonged assault', putting too much pressure on his neck. The legal document refers to their conduct as ‘intentional, reckless and/or negligent’.
It also alleges that New Security Solutions Group did not adequately train the two officers and that Bunnings did not provide them with a company code of conduct ‘so they were aware of their obligations in relation to, among other things, detaining anyone on the premises’.
Last year, a Victorian coroner, Darren Bracken, concluded that Georgiou would have remained alive if the security contractors had not restrained him on that day at Bunnings.
‘There seems little doubt that, had Georgiou not been involved in the struggle ... he would have walked away from Bunnings that day,’ the coroner shared.
According to Neha Pratap, a public liability lawyer on the case, Georgiou's daughter–through her litigation guardian–is ‘exercising her legal rights to compensation following father’s death, which we say was avoidable.’
Meanwhile, the family said their 'lives have been forever altered', and Georgiou's daughter lives with a 'constant void in her heart'.
What do you think about this story, dear members? Share your thoughts below!
Anthony James Georgiou, 31, is claimed to have stolen a gas cylinder and a saw blade from a Frankston Bunnings before Abdul Habib Brenzai and George Oyee, the store's security contractors, tried to stop him.
Devastatingly, the deceased man had a daughter–who has not been named as she is a minor– and she is now suing Bunnings Warehouse, the two security guards, as well as their employer, New Security Solutions Group, for ‘psychological injury, shock and financial loss’ caused by her father's death.
The lawsuit statement, as filed by firm Slater and Gordon, claims the security officers did not show reasonable care towards Georgiou and engaged in a 'prolonged assault', putting too much pressure on his neck. The legal document refers to their conduct as ‘intentional, reckless and/or negligent’.
It also alleges that New Security Solutions Group did not adequately train the two officers and that Bunnings did not provide them with a company code of conduct ‘so they were aware of their obligations in relation to, among other things, detaining anyone on the premises’.
‘There seems little doubt that, had Georgiou not been involved in the struggle ... he would have walked away from Bunnings that day,’ the coroner shared.
According to Neha Pratap, a public liability lawyer on the case, Georgiou's daughter–through her litigation guardian–is ‘exercising her legal rights to compensation following father’s death, which we say was avoidable.’
Meanwhile, the family said their 'lives have been forever altered', and Georgiou's daughter lives with a 'constant void in her heart'.
Key Takeaways
- The daughter of Anthony James Georgiou, who died after being allegedly assaulted by security guards at a Melbourne Bunnings, is suing the retail chain and the security officers involved in the incident.
- Georgiou was accused of stealing a gas cylinder and saw blade and was restrained by the officers, leading to his unconsciousness and subsequent death.
- The lawsuit alleges that the officers engaged in a 'prolonged assault,' and the security guard's employer–New Security Solutions Group–and Bunnings are accused of negligence and a breach of duty of care.
- A Victorian coroner, concluded last year that Georgiou would have remained alive if the security contractors had not restrained him on that day at Bunnings
- Georgiou’s daughter has a legal right to compensation, according to her legal representatives.
What do you think about this story, dear members? Share your thoughts below!