Employer, employee held liable for Dh216,000 emergency treatment bill in Dubai

The Dubai Civil Court of First Instance has ruled that an employer and his employee are required to pay Dhs216,000 to a private hospital. This amount covers the cost of emergency treatment provided for the employee after he sustained injuries from a fall from a height. Additionally, legal interest will be calculated at a rate of 5% per annum starting from the date of entitlement until the payment is completed. The court also ordered them to cover the expenses and attorney fees related to the case.

The hospital admitted the worker in March 2025 as an emergency case after a fall caused multiple fractures. He received all required medical care and underwent examinations until his discharge in April 2025. The worker signed a declaration accepting responsibility for the financial costs of his treatment. Documents confirmed that he lacked health insurance in the country during this period, with evidence indicating his employment under the first defendant.

The court explained that the health insurance law in the Emirate of Dubai mandates employers to register their employees in the health insurance system. Additionally, it obligates employers to bear the costs of healthcare services and emergency medical interventions if the employee is not insured. Due to the employer’s failure to enroll the employee, the legal responsibility for covering treatment costs falls on them. At the same time, the employee remains accountable for the medical services utilized, resulting in shared liability between both parties toward the hospital.

The court further clarified that the hospital had delivered the required medical care in compliance with the laws regulating emergency treatment and that the documentation presented did not substantiate any evidence of payment for the claimed debt. Consequently, the court determined that the defendants were responsible for settling the full amount owed.

As for the interest claim, the court decided that a legal interest rate of 5% annually would apply to the awarded sum, starting from the debt's due date in April 2025 until complete payment, serving as compensation for the delay in addressing the recognized debt.

The Court declined the request for additional compensation for both material and moral damages, as no evidence was presented to show harm exceeding the compensation already provided through the awarded legal interest. The defendants were also ordered to cover the expenses and attorney fees.