Surgeon’s Dh300,000 Compensation Claim Against Abu Dhabi Hotel Dismissed

A surgeon’s Dh300,000 compensation claim against an Abu Dhabi hotel has been dismissed after the court found insufficient evidence to support his allegation that he was injured in a slip-and-fall incident inside the property’s restaurant.

The doctor alleged that he sustained serious injuries after slipping on a dirty floor during an evening medical seminar, citing poor safety standards, lack of warning signs and negligence on the part of the hotel. He claimed the incident resulted in severe muscle tears in both thighs and internal bleeding, forcing him to cancel surgeries and significantly affecting his ability to work.

However, the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court ruled that while medical reports confirmed the existence of injuries, they did not establish how or where the incident occurred, nor did they prove any breach of duty by the hotel.

The court noted that the claimant had not submitted key supporting evidence such as CCTV footage, witness testimony, a police report or technical proof linking the hotel to the alleged accident. It also observed that the incident had not been formally reported to the authorities at the time.

Rejecting the argument that a later invitation for a complimentary dinner amounted to an admission of liability, the court said the gesture could reasonably be interpreted as goodwill or customer care rather than acknowledgment of fault.

With no proven negligence or causal connection established, the court dismissed the case and ordered the claimant to bear legal costs and court fees.

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