Care worker removed man’s breathing mask, leading to death; three fined

A district court in North Karelia has fined three employees of a Validia care home in Joensuu after a disabled man died by suffocation when a care assistant removed his breathing mask.

The incident occurred in July 2023, when the 34-year-old man—who suffered from progressive muscle degeneration—was being fed breakfast. The care assistant, on her second day at the facility, removed his BiPAP mask and turned off the device, after which he suffocated.

The court ruled that the man would not have died had the care assistant acted with due care. She was fined 70 day-fines for negligent homicide. A team leader and the former unit manager were also fined 60 day-fines each for inadequate training and supervision.

All three denied the charges, as did Validia, which argued that its staff had not caused the resident’s death. The court ordered the convicted individuals and Validia to jointly cover funeral and medical costs of approximately €7,200, as well as legal fees of around €11,200 including late payment interest.

The verdicts are not yet final and may be appealed.