Event summary and investigation into a fatal electrical incident in Sabadell
A man aged 88 died on 13 December 2022 at his home in Sabadell after an electric shock while taking a shower. Four months earlier, the Mossos d’Esquadra police force arrested the electrician who had been called to repair a recent power outage in the residence. The worker was not a licensed operator, and there was no record of appropriate training or the necessary license for the task. The person who carried out the job was not an ordinary tradesman; he had been sent to the victim’s home by his family and by an insurance company arranged through the home’s service contract.
In late November, the elderly resident experienced a power outage at his residence. Knowing the home was covered by insurance that included electrical repairs, his daughter contacted the insurance company to arrange a service call. The company assured that an electrician would be sent after verifying the client’s details and policy coverage.
On 1 December, an electrician, described as 36 years old, appeared at the address and conducted repairs. He inspected the electrical panel and reportedly addressed the wiring issues. Two weeks later, the elderly man suffered a fatal electric shock while taking a shower.
The incident prompted a formal investigation by the Police Investigation Unit. The Sabadell police station of the Mossos d’Esquadra moved to determine what occurred and to establish accountability. Police records indicate that the victim had engaged this service through the company, which had dispatched one of its workers some days earlier, potentially as a subcontractor.
After the investigation, Catalan authorities arrested the electrician, who was found to lack the required training and licensing for the work performed. He faced charges related to negligent manslaughter, falsification of commercial documents, and trespassing. He was released after appearing in court, but the investigation continued as authorities pursued additional findings related to the case.
This sequence of events highlights the serious risks associated with electrical work performed by individuals who are not properly trained or licensed. It also raises questions about how home-service providers and insurance companies authorize and supervise third-party contractors, and the safeguards needed to protect clients, especially vulnerable seniors, in private residences. The ongoing inquiry aims to clarify the exact chain of responsibility and to determine what improvements are necessary to prevent similar tragedies in the future.