In a statement to the BBC, Sophie Haenni, the lawyer representing Panine’s family, said she “wasn’t supposed to be serving tables” on the night of the fire but had been asked to go downstairs to help manage high demand for bottles.
“Cyane simply followed the instructions given, did her job, and did so in front of the manager (Jessica Moretti),” Haenni said. “She was never informed of the ceiling’s danger and received no safety training.”
Haenni said that “if safety standards (particularly regarding materials) had been followed and the required inspections carried out,” the casualties “could have been avoided,” adding: “Cyane is undoubtedly a victim.”
The statement from lawyers for Panine’s family also says she “felt used” and was “suffering from her working conditions”.
“She [Panine] expressed her incomprehension at the lack of empathy and understanding from her employers” in regards to her workload, the statement adds.
“My clients have lost their daughter, their sister. A loved one, a wonderful person, has been stolen from them,” the statement says.
The BBC has contacted lawyers for Jacques and Jessica Moretti for a response.