November 22, 2010
A badly burned student is seeking compensation from her former landlord.
Layla Skalli was involved in a tragic incident back in April last year when a fire ripped through her Norwich flat.
She suffered 80% burns in the blaze and was given just a 1% chance of survival by doctors.
The court heard how her landlord, Michael Billings, rented out over 100 properties and failed to provide even the most basic protection for his tenants, such as fitting a fire alarm or installing the correct number of fire doors.
In this instance Ms Skalli was unable to escape from the flames as the sash window in her room could only be opened 4 inches. The gas appliances in the flat had also not been serviced or properly inspected on a regular basis.
Mr Billings was charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with four counts of breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and one count of breaching Regulation 36(3)(a) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was also prosecuted by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service with nine counts of breaching Article 32(1)(a) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Orders 2005. Billings was sentenced to two-and-a-half year’s imprisonment which was cut to 21 months after he agreed to pay Ms Skalli £20,000 initial compensation.
Layla is now pursuing a civil claim for damages of up to £2 million pounds. The landlord’s insurers have refused to indemnify him and as a result a £2 million freezing order has been placed over his assets.
The full case is set to be held next autumn
