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29 March 2024

Dubai manager injured on safari trip: Insurance firm to pay compensation

Published
By Mohammed El Sadafy

The Dubai Court of Cassation in its ruling ordered an insurance firm to pay Dh66,000 compensation to a company, whose manager was seriously injured in an accident.

This is despite the manager’s company claiming reimbursement for treatment cost.

The court explained that the obligation of the employer to pay the medical expenses for its injured employee does not stop it from claiming the cost from the insurance company as long as the person is an employee of the company.

“The affected company is entitled to seek damages from the insurance firm,” the court ruled.

The court ruling was based on Article 144 of Labour Relations Regulatory Act No. 8 of 1980.

The company had filed a lawsuit against both - a car rental company and an insurance company -  demanding them to jointly pay Dh66,000 in compensation as its manager suffered injuries while inside the hired car.

The company said the driver of the rented car had caused the accident, which resulted in injury to its manager and that it had incurred costs of the manager’s treatment estimated at about Dh66,000. So, the car rental firm and the insurance company are entitled to jointly pay the sum, the company said.

The Court of First Instance dismissed the lawsuit, and the company moved the Appeals Court.

The Appeals Court issued a verdict in favour of the company. However, the insurance firm did not accept the verdict and moved the Court of Cassation.

The Court of Cassation dismissed the appeal. The court said that the manager suffered injuries while at work [when he was out on a safari trip], which is part of the Employment Act that stipulates that employees working in remote areas, far from cities, can be provided entertainment and sporting activity.

The Court further added that when an employee is wounded while out on such activities (sports and recreation), it is considered a work-related injury and the employer is entitled to bear the cost of the employee’s treatment.