The Bari Court of Appeal has confirmed the sentence of 3 years and 6 months imprisonment for Domenico Colasanto, former General Manager of the Bari Local Health Authority, accused of manslaughter aggravated by the violation of regulations on the prevention of accidents in the workplace and for omission of official acts. The ruling comes as part of the trial in the death of psychiatrist Paola Labriola, who was brutally murdered on Sept. 4, 2013, with 57 stab wounds by a drug patient inside the Mental Health Center on Via Tenente Casale in Bari.

The court’s decision reaffirms the responsibilities of those whose actions helped create the conditions that made this tragedy possible. The investigation first and trial later revealed that Colasanto, as an employer, had failed to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of health care workers, despite previous reports of assault incidents at the same facility. In addition, a Risk Assessment Document, which is essential for identifying and preventing dangerous situations, had not been prepared. Furthermore, the Risk Assessment Document, which is fundamental for identifying and preventing dangerous situations, had not been prepared.

In addition to the criminal sentence, Colasanto was held responsible, jointly with the ASL, for compensating the family of Paola Labriola, represented by lawyers Paola Avitabile and Michele Laforgia, according to whom ’A criminal conviction for manslaughter committed in violation of the regulations on the prevention of accidents in the workplace is always a defeat. It certifies that a person died, in our case not only at the hands of those who slaughtered Paola Labriola with 58 stab wounds back in September 2013, but also at the hands of those who should have protected her safety and security. A labor victim, like so many and so many, still today, in our country. Let us hope that it will not happen again, and let us also hope that this conviction will be a warning and lesson to all“.

This incident reminds us how crucial it is to ensure safe work environments, especially in health care settings, where the risk of assault is unfortunately real. Safety in the workplace is not an option, but an imperative obligation to protect the lives of those who devote their efforts to caring for others every day.

In the press:

La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno: Omicidio Paola Labriola, confermata la condanna a 3 anni per l’ex direttore Asl Bari: «Sviò le indagini»

Corriere del Mezzogiorno: Bari, psychiatrist Paola Labriola murdered with knives: former Asl dg sentenced. “Workplace safety not guaranteed.”

La Repubblica: Paola Labriola murder, on appeal 3 years and 6 months for former Asl Bari dg. “It did not guarantee security.”