UCLA fatal lab fire: Settlement for professor charged in case
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The case against a professor charged in a fatal 2008 lab fire at the University of California, Los Angeles, has ended with a settlement.
The district attorney's office says Patrick Harran, 44, has accepted responsibility for laboratory conditions that resulted in the lab fire that killed a research assistant.
Sheharbano "Sheri" Sangji, 23, was badly burned in Harran's organic chemistry laboratory on Dec. 29, 2008 when she transferred a highly flammable material without wearing a lab coat. The experiment burst into flames. She was burned over 43 percent of her body and succumbed to her injuries 18 days later.
Harran acknowledged that he was the victim's direct supervisor and said in court Friday that he was responsible for the safety of personnel in his laboratory.
Under the terms of the settlement, Harran is required to develop and teach an organic chemistry course to help inner city high school graduates prepare for college level organic chemistry. Harran must teach the seven-week summer course for five years.
He is also required to complete 800 hours of non-teaching community service at UCLA Hospital or UCLA Health Services and pay a $10,000 fine.
Prosecutors say the criminal charges will remain pending for five years while Harran completes the conditions of the settlement. He was charged with willful violation of state labor codes and failure to require body protection for employees exposed to hazardous substances.
