Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Commercial Court of First Instance has ordered a patient to pay a hospital Dh12,908 for medical and treatment services he received but did not pay for, plus annual interest of 5 per cent.
The hospital filed a lawsuit seeking payment of Dh12,908, along with annual legal interest of 12 per cent from the date the case was filed. It also sought court fees, expenses and lawyers’ fees.
The hospital said the patient had received medical and treatment services and had failed to pay the outstanding amount.
In support of its claim, the hospital submitted the patient’s medical report, a signed consent form covering admission, treatment and responsibility for the costs, and a tax invoice for the services provided.
In its ruling, the court said the signed consent form confirmed that the patient had agreed to be admitted to the hospital, receive treatment and bear the cost of the medical services.
The court found that this established a contractual relationship between the two parties and the basis for the patient’s obligation to pay.
The tax invoice showed that Dh12,908 was due from the patient, matching the amount sought by the hospital.
The court said the invoice was consistent with the medical report confirming the patient’s admission and treatment, as well as the signed consent form in which he accepted responsibility for the costs.
There was no evidence that the patient had paid the outstanding balance, either in full or in part, or that his obligation to pay had ended for any other reason.
The court also said the patient had not appeared to present evidence challenging the validity of the documents or proving that he had paid the debt.
It therefore ordered him to pay the hospital Dh12,908, plus annual interest of 5 per cent from the date the lawsuit was filed until full payment, provided the interest does not exceed the principal debt.
The patient was also ordered to pay court expenses and Dh200 in lawyers’ fees. The court rejected the hospital’s remaining claims.