The owners of an Everlast gym in Cheltenham have blamed alcohol and medication for the death of a 75-year-old former model who suffered heatstroke in a sauna. Mileva Brooks died in August 2022 after collapsing in the sauna at the Sports Direct-owned gym. Her daughter, actress Milanka Brooks, is suing the company for up to £100,000.
In their defence filed at London's High Court, SportsDirect.Com Fitness Ltd deny liability. They claim Mileva Brooks had a documented history of substance abuse, including alcoholism, and medical conditions consistent with prescribed medication. A post-mortem found traces of the antidepressant lorazepam and epilepsy drugs clobazam and lamotrigine in her system.
The gym's barrister, Natalie Green, stated that a sign outside the sauna warned against use by those with epilepsy or who had consumed alcohol or medication. She argued the gym acted reasonably in discharging its duty of care. The defence also suggests any damages should be reduced due to contributory negligence.
Milanka Brooks, known for roles in Benidorm, The Windsors, and Black Mirror, described her mother as her 'best friend in the world'. An inquest in 2023 recorded a narrative verdict of death from heatstroke, with Mileva's body temperature reaching 39.2C.
