Abu Dhabi Family Court Raises Compensation to Dh1.5 Million for Worker Paralyzed After Seven-Metre Scaffold Fall

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Court has increased compensation awarded to a worker who was left paralysed after a workplace accident, raising the sum from Dh1.1 million to Dh1.5 million.

The case stemmed from a 7-metre fall at a company worksite, where the employee plunged from a scaffold while painting steel. The court ruled that the incident was caused by the company’s negligence, citing its failure to provide protective equipment and ensure adequate safety measures.

The worker, who had initially sought Dh7 million in damages, submitted medical and expert reports confirming his condition had stabilised as spastic paraplegia. Confined to a wheelchair and suffering from spinal deformity, he told the court he lacked health insurance to cover treatment, which included surgeries and physiotherapy.

A criminal case had already found the company guilty of negligence, with its appeal dismissed at all levels, making the ruling final. In its civil judgment, the court granted full diya of Dh200,000 along with compensation for medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and moral damages, bringing the total award to Dh1.5 million.

Workplace Risks

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, as well as police and court data, falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace accidents in the UAE, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of occupational fatalities. Common risks include unsafe ladders, fragile surfaces, improperly installed scaffolding, misuse of personal protective equipment, and adverse weather.

Authorities stress that preventive measures such as worker training, provision of protective gear, regular equipment inspections, and stricter supervision are essential to reduce such accidents. The adoption of modern safety technologies, including guardrails and automated fall-prevention systems, is also being encouraged to improve site safety standards.

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