Dh1m compensation for worker injured in UAE accident

A construction worker who was left completely paralysed after a wall collapsed on him while on duty has been awarded Dh1 million in damages. The Abu Dhabi Appeal Court ordered two workers accused of causing permanent injuries to the Asian worker to pay him the compensation after a medical report showed that the man suffered a broken spinal cord when the incident happened at a construction site in Abu Dhabi.

Official court documents stated that one worker jokingly pushed the other to the newly built wall. The wall, which was not firm, suddenly collapsed at the victim who was sitting nearby while having his lunch.

A medical report said the Asian worker suffered a broken spinal cord and injuries in other body parts that resulted in 100 per cent paralysis.

A supplementary forensic report said the victim suffered injuries that caused 100 per cent permanent disabilities in his body. According to the medical report, in addition to body paralysis, the victim's inability to control urine and puss was also 100 per cent. The report said the worker also suffered from impotence due to the incident.

Prosecutors had charged the two workers with causing the accident that grievously injured the Asian man.

Officers also demanded that the worker be compensated for the damages because he was unable to do anything for himself and he was the sole bread winner for his wife, children and parents back home.

The two workers had admitted to causing the collapse of the wall while playing but stressed that they didn't intend to injure their colleague. The Court of First Instance had fined each of the men Dh5,000 and ordered them to pay Dh200,000 in damages after they were found guilty of causing injuries to the worker.

Prosecutors then challenged the compensation payout at the appellate court.