State unit fined for negligence

Ali Odabaşı, 43, was killed on Sept. 12, 2006, when the van he was driving crashed in İzmir’s Urla district as a result of an open manhole. A subcontracted firm, Delta, had left the manhole open after doing some work there. The rear tire of Odabaşı’s van burst after hitting the open manhole, resulting in a fatal crash. His family filed a compensatory lawsuit against the municipality. The court ruled that the İzmir Waterworks Authority, or İZSU, which operates under İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, was responsible and ordered it to pay 250,000 liras in compensation to Odabaşı’s family.

Odabaşı’s family had filed a lawsuit for 189,000 liras for material and emotional compensation against İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Urla Municipality and İZSU.

The Urla prosecutor had filed separate charges against employees at Urla Municipality and İZSU for "negligent actions resulting in death" and sought prison terms of three to six years for those responsible.

The court ruled that İZSU was responsible for the death and ordered İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to pay 49,000 liras for material damage and 139,500 for emotional damage. With accumulated interest the total amount of compensation is 250,000 liras.

İZSU’s lawyers have said they will appeal the decision.