PHILADELPHIA — A jury in Philadelphia County has awarded $15.3 million to the estate of Ashokkumar Patel, a store clerk fatally shot during a robbery in December 2020. The verdict holds the gaming company Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing responsible for their role in the incident, which took place at one of Pace-O-Matic’s gaming establishments in Hazelton.
Patel, 50, originally from India, was working at a facility that featured unregulated “skill” gaming machines when he was shot. In addition to cleaning duties, Patel was entrusted with large cash payouts to individuals wagering on these machines. Witnesses and evidence presented in court highlighted the dangerous environment within the store where he worked.
Throughout the trial, attorneys argued that despite stringent safety guidelines in other gambling venues, Pace-O-Matic failed to adhere to necessary safety protocols in their operations. The plaintiff’s legal team asserted that the company prioritized profits over employee safety, neglecting the risks posed to low-wage workers like Patel.
Robert W. Zimmerman, representing the Patel family, emphasized the recklessness of Pace-O-Matic’s business practices. “The organization created a hazardous environment while focusing solely on its profit margins,” Zimmerman stated, underlining the necessary expectations companies should uphold for worker safety.
The lawsuit named Jafet Rodriguez as a co-defendant; he was convicted of murdering Patel and is currently serving time in prison. The civil wrongful death suit, filed in 2022, sought to hold all parties accountable for Patel’s untimely death.
In light of the verdict, the Patel family expressed hope that the jury’s decision might provoke change in how similar establishments operate, particularly regarding staff safety. The tragic outcome of this case underscores ongoing concerns about the regulation of gaming venues and their impact on employees.
Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing, which design and distribute machines across Pennsylvania, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the judgment. As gambling continues to expand, advocates are calling for stricter regulations to safeguard workers from preventable violence.
The case has sparked discussions about the broader implications of unregulated gaming environments, raising questions about corporate responsibility in preventing workplace violence and the protection of vulnerable employees.