Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Dubai Appellate Court has awarded Dh1 million in compensation to an Arab man who suffered permanent brain damage and fell into a coma following a surgical error at a private hospital in Dubai. The case, which dates back to March 2023, involved a patient undergoing a cervical disc laser surgery with a cortisone injection. The operation, overseen by a medical team that included a surgeon and an anesthesiologist, resulted in severe complications. Oxygen deprivation during the procedure led to irreversible brain damage, placing the patient in a permanent coma. The patient’s family filed an official complaint with the Dubai Health Authority’s Medical Liability Committee and later escalated the case to the Higher Medical Liability Committee. Both bodies concluded that a severe medical error had occurred, particularly due to the anesthesiologist’s negligence in leaving the operating room before the patient regained consciousness. Following these findings, the patient’s family sought legal action, filing a compensation claim for Dh57 million to cover medical expenses and the loss of their primary breadwinner. The Dubai Court of First Instance initially ruled that the hospital and medical staff must pay Dh7.5 million in damages, with a 5 percent annual interest from the date of ruling until full payment. However, both the hospital and the patient’s family appealed the verdict. While the family sought an increase in compensation, the hospital challenged the ruling, calling for a complete annulment of the decision. After reviewing the case, the Dubai Appellate Court revised the ruling, reducing the compensation to Dh1 million. The court ordered that the hospital and the medical personnel jointly bear the compensation amount and cover legal fees. Dr. Alaa Nasr, legal representative of the patient’s family, stated that the court’s decision is final unless further appeals are lodged. “The court determines compensation based on its assessment of the material and moral damages suffered by the affected party,” he explained. ICA/Expat Media
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