Jessica Moretti requests Swiss injury compensation after fatal Crans-Montana fire

Insurance claim and legal inquiry

Jessica Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, requested daily compensation under Swiss workplace accident law for loss of earnings caused by health damage resulting from the 1 January 2026 fire. Zurich Insurance opened a claim file and requested authorization from the Valais cantonal prosecutor regarding whether any potential daily allowances should be paid directly to Moretti or deposited with the judicial authorities, noting that her bank accounts are frozen. Cantonal prosecutors approved the principle of payment while requesting clarification on the exact classification and legal basis of the compensation. Zurich Insurance confirmed it is reviewing the request under statutory accident provisions.

In the context of the proceedings underway at your office, we would need to know whether any daily allowances may be paid into the account indicated by the insured person or if we should pay them to you.

Fatal fire and criminal charges

The compensation request emerges while Moretti and her husband Jacques remain primary suspects in the criminal investigation into the New Year fire that killed 41 people and injured 115 others. Investigators determined the fire started when a sparkler candle attached to a champagne bottle ignited the ceiling, spreading through the premises where approximately 200 patrons were gathered. Six Italian teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 were among those killed, and customers escaped by breaking a display window due to a narrow exit. The Morettis are among 16 defendants facing charges of negligent homicide, negligent arson, and grievous bodily injury. Both owners previously stated in court that they believed the firework candles were tested and safe.

Domestic violence arrest

Jacques Moretti is currently in pretrial custody following an incident at the couple's home in Valais during the night between 11 and 12 August 2026. Authorities arrested him on suspicion of physically assaulting Jessica Moretti, inflicting injuries that required hospital treatment. A court ordered him detained in custody until at least 11 November 2026 while a separate criminal investigation proceeds. Defense lawyers stated that the alleged domestic assault pertains strictly to the couple's private life and is separate from the fatal fire proceedings. The lawyers added that the incident occurred in the context of an intense ordeal the couple has faced together since the tragedy.

Monitoring and anniversary concerns

Jessica Moretti remains under judicial supervision at her residence in Lens, subject to regular verification by cantonal authorities. A cantonal police report dated 23 September 2026 documented that officers from BTA Sierre contact her every two days via WhatsApp video calls to verify her presence in Switzerland. She has answered all scheduled calls, shared her real-time location, and notified police in advance when traveling to Geneva to meet her lawyers. The report noted that Moretti expressed concern over possible retaliatory actions by relatives of victims and intensified media scrutiny ahead of the disaster's first anniversary. She also reported experiencing online insults, harassment in Haut-Plateau, and media presence outside her son's school.