Dubai court awards AED350,000 to musician injured after assault at private party

Dubai: A Dubai civil court has ordered a man to pay AED350,000 in compensation to a musician who suffered a permanent disability after being assaulted following a dispute at a private Halloween party.

The victim had filed a civil lawsuit seeking AED2.5 million in compensation from both the attacker and the owner of the villa where the party was held. However, the court ruled that only the first defendant was liable for the injuries and dismissed the claim against the homeowner.

According to court records, the victim attended a Halloween gathering at the second defendant's residence in Dubai to participate in a musical performance. A dispute reportedly broke out between him and one of the guests.

The claimant said he left the property following the dispute, but the first defendant followed him outside the villa and assaulted him, causing serious injuries that required hospitalisation and admission to intensive care.

Medical reports showed that the victim sustained skull fractures, bleeding around the brain, a brain contusion, loss of the sense of smell, and neurological and psychological effects. The reports also confirmed a permanent disability of approximately 30 per cent.

The claimant sought compensation for material, moral and psychological damages. He also attempted to hold the homeowner responsible, arguing that she failed to take appropriate action after the incident and did not notify police or call an ambulance because the party was allegedly unlicensed.

The lawsuit relied on a final criminal judgment that convicted the first defendant and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment and deportation.

The court found that the criminal judgment conclusively established that the assault had been committed by the first defendant. However, it found no evidence that the second defendant had committed any act or omission constituting legal fault connected to the injuries suffered by the claimant.

The court noted that liability for a harmful act requires proof of fault, damage and a causal relationship between them. It said these elements had been established against the first defendant through the criminal judgment and medical evidence documenting the victim's injuries and permanent disability.

The court also rejected the defendant's request to refer the claimant to another medical committee, finding that the existing medical reports were sufficient to determine the nature of the injuries and their long-term effects.

In assessing compensation, the court considered the physical, psychological and moral harm suffered by the victim, as well as the lasting effects of the injuries.

It ultimately ordered the first defendant to pay AED350,000 in compensation and legal costs, while dismissing the case against the homeowner.