School’s 'negligence' causes burns and permanent disability to a student in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court has ruled that a school must pay a guardian Dhs100,000 in compensation for the injures that his daughter sustained inside the school.

This followed the lawsuit that the guardian had filed against the school, seeking Dhs400,000 in compensation, along with reimbursement of fees and expenses.

The plaintiff stated that his daughter is a student at the defendant school.

She was eating lunch at the time of the incident, and was holding on to the dining table when a food container fell on her.

This caused first and second degree burns in the abdomen area, covering 22% of her entire body.

Consequently, the defendant was referred to criminal trial and convicted of causing harm to the plaintiff's daughter's physical safety through negligence and lack of caution, by failing to provide the necessary security and safety measures. It was fined Dhs10,000.

The plaintiff further asserted that the defendant's error had led to significant harm being inflicted upon his daughter, resulting in physical pain and injuries.

Furthermore, she underwent multiple surgical procedures, was absent from school for a period exceeding one month, and is currently undergoing treatment for the deformities caused by the burns.

These deformities are anticipated to persist indefinitely, and the psychological harm that will befall her in later life as she confronts the deformities and burns is also a concern.

This compels the plaintiff to initiate legal action to address these concerns.

The Court indicated that the defendant was convicted and fined Dhs10,000 for causing harm to the plaintiff's daughter and others by mistake, as a result of its negligence and lack of caution.

This ruling was considered final and irrevocable without the possibility of an appeal. The court had previously appointed a forensic doctor to conduct a medical examination of the girl, and his report concluded that the girl's condition had stabilized.

The report added that she had become of a terminal nature, and that she had suffered a permanent disability and impairment estimated at 10% of the skin's benefit as a result of the burns from hot water inside the school.

The Court concludes that the plaintiff's daughter is entitled to both material and moral compensation. It has determined the compensation to be Dhs100,000, a calculation based on the elements of the dispute that were reviewed it.