Balcony fall death sparks coroner criticism of housing provision

A coroner has hit out at a London council and housing association after a woman's accidental death following a fall from a balcony.

Marwo Kassim had an epileptic seizure and fell from her third-floor flat in Acton, west London, on 19 June 2022.

The 39-year-old was found seriously injured on the pavement below and died in hospital nine days later.

Ealing Council said it was unable to comment "due to ongoing legal involvement".

The family's solicitors Leigh Day said Ms Kassim lived alone for nine years in the flat, provided to her by London & Quadrant Housing Association (L&Q), despite the fact that her family, consultant neurologist and Ms Kassim herself raised repeated concerns with L&Q.

Assistant Coroner Richard Furniss concluded that although her death was an accident, it was caused because Ealing Council and London & Quadrant Housing Association failed to provide her with a ground-floor flat in the building at Beeching Court on Bollo Bridge Road, despite concerns over her safety being raised since at least 2015.

In his report following a three-day hearing at West London Coroner's Court, the coroner said Ms Kassim's social housing flat "was not an appropriate place for her to live because of the danger of falling from the balcony during or after a seizure.

"This was known to be the case, or ought to have been known to be the case, from no later than 2015; and there was a failure between then and 2022 to provide her with housing on the ground floor.

"That failure was causative of her death."

Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms Kassim's brother Nasir Kassim said they "feel relieved and vindicated" by the result of the inquest, which will "help us reach closure after the pain and sorrow caused by Marwo's death".

"We have waited a long time for our voices to be heard but feel we have at last been able to highlight the failings and mistakes made by the authorities which sadly led to this tragic accident," he said.

"Marwo was a much-loved daughter, sister and auntie and we all miss her greatly."

Matt Foreman from L&Q said: "We were deeply saddened by the death of Ms Kassim, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and neighbours.

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents will always be our number-one priority. Although the coroner ruled the death was an accident, and no Prevention of Future Death order was issued to L&Q, we will now take some time to reflect on the findings of the coroner's report."

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