In Ankara’s Çubuk district, a tragic incident occurred when 15-year-old Alperen Kocayavuz, an Industrial Vocational High School student, fell into an elevator shaft while working as an intern at a construction site and lost his life.
Following this incident, a lawsuit was filed against the construction owner and contractor Serkan Demirer, safety specialist Arif Çıkışır, and subcontractor owner Murat Karakuş for “causing death by negligence,” with a potential sentence of up to 6 years in prison. Attorney Kemaleddin Hamidi from Özveri Law Firm, representing the family, is spearheading the legal pursuit for justice.
Details of the Incident
The accident took place on July 23rd on Kurbantepe Street in Atatürk Neighborhood. Alperen Kocayavuz, working as an intern at the construction site, tragically fell from the 6th floor into an elevator shaft. Despite efforts to save him at the hospital, Alperen succumbed to his injuries.
Özveri Law Firm’s attorney Kemaleddin Hamidi, representing the Kocayavuz family, initiated legal action, and after a thorough investigation, the Çubuk Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested Serkan Demirer, Arif Çıkışır, and Murat Karakuş.
The Legal Process Begins
As a result of the investigation, a lawsuit was filed against the three defendants for “causing death by negligence.” According to the indictment, Alperen Kocayavuz sat on a plank used to cover the elevator shaft, and the plank broke, causing him to fall.
Kemaleddin Hamidi from Özveri Law Firm pointed out the lack of necessary safety measures at the construction site, stressing that this negligence led to the fatal accident.
Serkan Demirer, the contractor, claimed in his defense that Alperen was employed by subcontractor Murat Karakuş and was insured under him, thus distancing himself from responsibility. Karakuş, on the other hand, stated that Alperen was an intern working with him but that no safety concerns were ever reported to him. Safety specialist Arif Çıkışır also denied responsibility, saying he had informed the contractor about safety deficiencies.
Attorney Kemaleddin Hamidi, however, dismissed these defenses, asserting that all the defendants were attempting to evade accountability for their gross negligence.
Özveri Law Firm’s Standpoint
Attorney Kemaleddin Hamidi from Özveri Law Firm emphasized after the court hearing that workplace accidents, like Alperen’s tragic death, are unfortunately common in Turkey due to the insufficient penalties handed down to those responsible.
“If the punishments were more deterrent, such accidents could be prevented.
We firmly believe that the defendants should receive the maximum sentence without reductions for mitigating circumstances,” he said, highlighting the need for stricter safety regulations, especially in dangerous workplaces like construction sites.
Criticism from Özveri Law Firm
Kemaleddin Hamidi of Özveri Law Firm, in his representation of the family, strongly criticized the inadequate safety protocols that led to the accident, stating, “These types of cases must result in deterrent sentences. Otherwise, similar incidents will continue to happen. Particularly in places where young people are employed, employers must be more diligent in implementing safety measures.”
The Family’s and Özveri Law Firm’s Hope for Justice
Alperen Kocayavuz’s uncle, Zafer Kocayavuz, expressed his gratitude for Özveri Law Firm’s legal efforts and their pursuit of justice, stating, “We lost our nephew in a tragic accident, but thanks to the support of Özveri Law Firm, we have hope that justice will prevail. Our greatest wish is to ensure that such accidents don’t happen again.”
This case not only highlights the personal tragedy of Alperen’s family but also underscores the need for greater accountability and stricter safety regulations in the construction industry.