The Dubai Civil Court has issued a ruling requiring a local delivery services company to pay Dhs172,985 to a hospital for the emergency treatment of one of its employees. The legal dispute arose after the worker was admitted to the facility in March 2025 suffering from epileptic seizures and an altered state of consciousness. He remained under medical care for 22 days, incurring significant costs that the hospital subsequently sought to recover through litigation.
The hospital’s lawsuit initially named the employee, the delivery firm, and an individual who had signed a personal pledge to cover the treatment expenses. During the proceedings, the company’s owner contended that the worker was covered by a health insurance policy. In response, the court brought the insurance provider into the case to verify the coverage status. However, an expert appointed by the court determined that while the employee was added to a new policy in December 2025, he was not included in the group insurance plan active at the time of his hospitalization.
Under Dubai’s health insurance regulations, employers are legally mandated to cover the costs of emergency medical interventions for their staff if those employees lack active insurance coverage. The court emphasized that this obligation remains in effect until the patient is no longer in immediate danger. Consequently, the judge ruled that the delivery company bears full financial responsibility for the medical services provided during the 22-day stay.
The final judgment mandates that the company pay the full Dhs172,985, along with 5% annual interest calculated from the date the legal claim was filed until the debt is settled. The firm is also responsible for all associated legal fees and court expenses. The court dismissed the claims against the insurance company, ruling that the lawsuit against them was inadmissible due to a lack of legal standing, and cleared both the employee and the individual who had signed the initial payment pledge from the liability.
Source: Gulf Today
