The Dubai Civil Court recently rendered a verdict that mandates a restaurant and two of its supervisors to pay 500,000 dirhams to an employee who tragically lost his right hand in a workplace accident involving a meat-mincing machine. The incident resulted in the amputation of the worker's hand at the wrist level.
The worker filed a lawsuit seeking compensation totaling 2.5 million dirhams for the physical, material, future, moral, and psychological damages he endured due to the accident. He argued that the negligence of the restaurant and its supervisors led to the incident. Specifically, he cited insufficient safety measures, inadequate training, and a lack of supervision as contributing factors.
The supervisors faced criminal proceedings, which led to fines and convictions. Subsequently, the civil case was referred to the appropriate court, and a final ruling was issued.
The plaintiff asserted that the defendants, including the restaurant company, bore responsibility for the accident due to their relationship with the establishment and their failure to ensure workplace safety. Medical reports confirmed the severity of the worker's injuries, which included a complete amputation of his right hand, leading to a permanent disability estimated at 55% of his total general strength.
The plaintiff's claim for compensation encompassed not only the physical harm but also the emotional toll of losing a limb and the impact on his future employment prospects. The defendants countered, alleging the worker's own negligence contributed to the accident.
Upon reviewing the evidence and arguments presented, the civil court determined that the supervisors' negligence was primarily responsible for the accident. Factors such as the absence of safety sensors, insufficient warning signs, and inadequate supervision were cited as key factors contributing to the incident.
In its ruling, the court ordered compensation of 500,000 dirhams to the plaintiff, considering his age, the extent of his injuries, and the suffering endured. Additionally, an interest rate of 5% was applied from the date of the claim until payment. This case underscores the importance of workplace safety measures and accountability in preventing avoidable accidents and ensuring just compensation for victims of negligence.
