Victorian Business Fined $3 Million in Landmark Workplace Manslaughter Case

Incident Overview

On a date in October 2021, subcontractor Michael Tsahrelias was fatally crushed when a forklift tipped over at LH Holding Management Pty Ltd, a stonemasonry company in Somerton, Melbourne. Company owner Laith Hanna was reversing the forklift down a slope when the incident occurred, captured on CCTV and later described in court as “harrowing.”

The incident occurred at the LH Holding Management premises in Somerton, Melbourne, in October 2021. The exact time was not specified in available reports.

WorkSafe Victoria investigated the incident and prosecuted LH Holding Management under Victoria’s workplace manslaughter legislation. The company was initially fined $1.3 million; prosecutors successfully appealed, arguing the penalty was manifestly inadequate given the company’s significant departure from acceptable safety standards.

WorkSafe Victoria continues to emphasise the importance of workplace safety accountability. Any workers, contractors or witnesses with information about workplace safety breaches or similar incidents are encouraged to report to WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or via the online incident-report form at worksafe.vic.gov.au.

In Summary

In April 2026, Victoria’s Court of Appeal upheld and increased the company’s penalty to $3 million—a landmark outcome marking the state’s first successful prosecution under workplace manslaughter legislation.

Victoria’s Court of Appeal increased the company penalty to $3 million in April 2026, marking the first successful prosecution under the state’s workplace manslaughter laws, which carry maximum penalties of 25 years’ imprisonment and fines exceeding $16 million for companies. Hanna’s personal fine of $120,000 and 200 hours of community service were upheld on appeal.