A worker who suffered life-altering injuries after falling from a seven-meter-high scaffold will now receive AED 1.5 million in compensation, following a revised ruling by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Court, Gulf News reported.
The man, who was painting steel at a company site when the accident occurred, filed a lawsuit seeking AED 7 million in damages. He argued that his employer failed to provide adequate safety gear and site supervision, leading to the fall. The court found the company guilty of negligence, highlighting its failure to follow professional safety standards and protect its workers from occupational hazards.
Medical experts confirmed that the worker, now confined to a wheelchair, suffers from a spinal deformity and spastic paraplegia, preventing him from standing independently. With no health insurance to cover treatment, he faced heavy medical costs including surgeries and physiotherapy.
Initially, the company was ordered to pay AED 1.1 million, but the court later amended the ruling to AED 1.5 million to account for full diya (blood money) of AED 200,000, medical expenses, and compensation for loss of earning capacity. The company’s appeal against the criminal conviction was also dismissed, making the judgment final.
Authorities have stressed that falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities, especially in construction. Reports from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation cite common causes such as unstable scaffolding, unsafe ladders, weak surfaces, lack of proper protective gear, and poor supervision.
Experts emphasize that proper training, strict supervision, use of safety harnesses, and regular inspection of equipment are vital preventive measures to avoid such accidents.
