Joint inquest announced for construction-site deaths in Vaughan, Toronto

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 19, 2022

A joint inquest into various workplace-related deaths at construction sites in Vaughan and Toronto has been announced.

Athanasios Batsos, James Pearce, Nikolaos Psihopedas and Ferdinand Staffa all died from multiple injuries sustained after falls from heights at the various sites in question.

Batsos, 53, died on Sept. 30, 2017; Pearce, 50, died on Aug. 11, 2018; Psihopedas, 70, died on June 6, 2018; and Staffa, 82, died on Aug. 11, 2018.

The inquest, scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m., is expected to last four days and hear from three witnesses.

It is being conducted by video conference. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live at www.youtube.com/occinquests.

At its conclusion, the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.