The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is in the process of sending files to the Procurator Fiscal Service, which will now decide whether there is enough evidence to prosecute.
The significant step follows a near two-year probe into the deaths of three men and one woman, aged between 47 and 65. The investigation, which remains ongoing, has also involved the police and NHS.
Gordon Erasmuson, who was hospitalised after contracting legionnaires' disease during the outbreak, which occurred between May and July 2012, believes he is yet to fully recover. He hoped the submission of the files would prove to be a breakthrough in victims' fight for justice.
During the outbreak, two firms were served with improvement notices in relation to cooling towers which can be a source of legionella bacteria.
The legionnaires' disease outbreak gripped Edinburgh in the spring of 2012. An NHS Lothian report revealed 92 suspected or confirmed cases. Hundreds more became ill after breathing in the bacteria, developing conditions like Pontiac fever.
Sources described the case as 'inherently technical and complex'. Those examining the files have not put a time frame on when a decision over whether to pursue charges will be made.
C365Cloud is an a cloud-hosted compliance management system designed to help any organisation audit, manage and improve their statutory compliance. The award-winning system is now used by 17,000 individual users and 3500 suppliers for over 100 compliance areas at 500,000 properties.
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment