Philosophy
by
Kim Christensen
June 20th, 2014
Los Angeles Times
UCLA chemistry professor Patrick Harran on Friday struck a deal with prosecutors that all but frees him from criminal liability in a 2008 laboratory fire that killed staff research assistant Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji.
Harran, charged with four felony counts of willfully violating state occupational health and safety standards, had faced up to 4-1/2 years in prison if convicted.
Instead, under an agreement approved by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Lomeli, Harran, 44, was ordered to pay $10,000 to the Grossman Burn Center and to perform 800 hours of community service.
Harran admitted no wrongdoing in what is thought to be the first criminal case arising in an academic lab accident. The charges will be dropped if he successfully fulfills the terms of the agreement.
Sangji, 23, was not wearing a protective lab coat and suffered severe burns on Dec. 29, 2008, when a plastic syringe she was using to transfer t-butyl lithium from one sealed container to another came apart, spewing a chemical compound that ignites when exposed to air. She died 18 days later.
Harran and UCLA contended that her death was a tragic accident, not a crime.
For more on this topic use the blog's search engine.
- Patrick Harran To Stand Trial For The Death Of Sheri Sangji
"UCLA chemist to stand trial for safety violations linked to Sheri Sangji death" by Rebecca Trager May 1st, 2013 Chemistry World The chemist who supervised a research assistant who died from injuries sustained in a University of California, Los Angeles...
- Culpability In The Lab
Who is culpable here? Looks like a "he said, she said" situation."Report faults professor, UCLA in death of lab assistant"Cal/OSHA says Sheri Sangji was not properly trained to handle the chemicals that killed her. The university criticizes the findings.by...
- Ucla Chem Prof To Plead "not Guilty"
This is going to be an ugly mess. Is the suit about negligence or money?"UCLA chemistry professor to plead not guilty to felony charges associated with 2008 lab fire death" by Nichole CgiangJanuary 9th, 2012Daily BruinUCLA chemistry professor Patrick...
- Charges Filed In The Death Of Sheharbano Sangji
"UC system, UCLA professor charged in lab fire that killed staffer" December 27th, 2011 Los Angeles Times Felony charges have been filed against the University of California and a UCLA chemistry professor in connection with a laboratory fire that killed...
- Ucla To Appeal Osha's Finding In Sheri Sangji's Death
No mea culpa from UCLA. The lawyers are in a frenzy to establish limited responsibility. "UCLA appeals state findings in fatal lab fire" Cal/OSHA had cited workplace-safety violations in the December death of staff research assistant Sheri Sangji. The...
Philosophy
Patrick Harran plea bargains
"UCLA chemistry professor avoids prison time in fatal lab fire case"
by
Kim Christensen
June 20th, 2014
Los Angeles Times
UCLA chemistry professor Patrick Harran on Friday struck a deal with prosecutors that all but frees him from criminal liability in a 2008 laboratory fire that killed staff research assistant Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji.
Harran, charged with four felony counts of willfully violating state occupational health and safety standards, had faced up to 4-1/2 years in prison if convicted.
Instead, under an agreement approved by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Lomeli, Harran, 44, was ordered to pay $10,000 to the Grossman Burn Center and to perform 800 hours of community service.
Harran admitted no wrongdoing in what is thought to be the first criminal case arising in an academic lab accident. The charges will be dropped if he successfully fulfills the terms of the agreement.
Sangji, 23, was not wearing a protective lab coat and suffered severe burns on Dec. 29, 2008, when a plastic syringe she was using to transfer t-butyl lithium from one sealed container to another came apart, spewing a chemical compound that ignites when exposed to air. She died 18 days later.
Harran and UCLA contended that her death was a tragic accident, not a crime.
For more on this topic use the blog's search engine.
- Patrick Harran To Stand Trial For The Death Of Sheri Sangji
"UCLA chemist to stand trial for safety violations linked to Sheri Sangji death" by Rebecca Trager May 1st, 2013 Chemistry World The chemist who supervised a research assistant who died from injuries sustained in a University of California, Los Angeles...
- Culpability In The Lab
Who is culpable here? Looks like a "he said, she said" situation."Report faults professor, UCLA in death of lab assistant"Cal/OSHA says Sheri Sangji was not properly trained to handle the chemicals that killed her. The university criticizes the findings.by...
- Ucla Chem Prof To Plead "not Guilty"
This is going to be an ugly mess. Is the suit about negligence or money?"UCLA chemistry professor to plead not guilty to felony charges associated with 2008 lab fire death" by Nichole CgiangJanuary 9th, 2012Daily BruinUCLA chemistry professor Patrick...
- Charges Filed In The Death Of Sheharbano Sangji
"UC system, UCLA professor charged in lab fire that killed staffer" December 27th, 2011 Los Angeles Times Felony charges have been filed against the University of California and a UCLA chemistry professor in connection with a laboratory fire that killed...
- Ucla To Appeal Osha's Finding In Sheri Sangji's Death
No mea culpa from UCLA. The lawyers are in a frenzy to establish limited responsibility. "UCLA appeals state findings in fatal lab fire" Cal/OSHA had cited workplace-safety violations in the December death of staff research assistant Sheri Sangji. The...