December 28, 2008- Research Associate Sheri Sangji suffers severe burns while working on a pyrophoric liquid in the Patrick Harran Lab at UCLA. Sheri is not wearing proper personal protective equipment or using proper equipment to transfer a pyrophoric liquid.
January 16, 2009- Sheri Sangji dies at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles.
January, 2009- CalOSHA Bureau of Investigations initiates investigation of lab fire and factors leading to fatality.
December, 2009- CalOSHA Bureau of Investigations recommends that Patrick Harran and the UC Board of Regents be charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony labor code violations.
December, 2011- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charges Patrick Harran and the UC Board of Regents with 3 felony counts of willfully violating occupational health and safety standards.
July, 2012- The UC Board of Regents strike a plea deal with the DA’s Office and the felony charges are dropped. Plea deal includes an acceptance of responsibility for the accident, a pledge of comprehensive safety improvements in all UC Chemistry and Biochemistry Departments and endowment of a $500,000 scholarship in Sheri Sangji’s name at the UC Berkeley Law School. Patrick Harran case is not affected by plea deal.
September, 2012- Patrick Harran pleads “not guilty” to 3 felony labor law violations which carry up to 4 ½ years of prison time.
November 16, 2012- Hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require Harran to stand trial begins.
