Q: Dental malpractice: My daughter had a root canal done by a specialist pediatric dentist at a major hospital in Dubai and final reports and doctor claimed it was completed. After that, the final payment was made and we were given a form for an insurance claim that everything was completed. However, after going to another establishment, X-rays showed the root canal was not completed and the child is required to go through the whole procedure again causing mental agony and pain. My child is not willing to go to any dentist much alone the same dentist because of the traumatic events and pain she endured of the 1st root canal which was supposedly done over 3 sittings. I contacted the 1st hospital and they agreed in writing that it was a mistake. The doctor also has called me personally to apologize and he would carry out the procedure including additional services free of cost. My child is 3 years old and traumatized and unwilling to go to any dentist. What are my options to claim?

Q: Hi. I won a DHA ruling of malpractice against a Dubai-based dental clinic and need to go to court to recover the money I paid out. I’m also hoping for some compensation for the year of pain and inconvenience I went through as a result. I'm told that I have to pay 6% of my claim up front. How much should I claim? I spent AED 30,000 on the original dentist and AED 80,000 correcting the problem. I gave a statement as part of the malpractice case. As I have already won this, do I still need a lawyer to represent me, or would the judge use my original statements? I appreciate any advice on this matter. Thanks Fariba

Q: Hi, I had a treatment with a machine called HIFU to treat the wrinkles on my forehead, the treatment was so painful, and immediately after, I had 2 large depression on both sides on my forehead and a vertical line in the middle. The company denied their mistake and they are ignoring my calls since the 26th of July 2018. Please note that I was not given any consent form to sign. After consulting a dermatologist, he confirmed that I had an atrophy fat melting and muscle oedema due to this treatment and I have a medical report. I have taken a picture before and immediately after. Kindly let me know what to do. Regards,

Q: Hi, I went to a clinic for teeth braces to make my teeth straight and they told me that they need to remove 2 teeth and then they will put braces. So they did the same and on 3rd visit, the other doctor asked me to do an x-ray to check the situation. She checked my x-ray and told me that sorry we can't do this treatment with the braces because it's a bone problem, so you can go to a surgeon. Now, I am struggling with pain and even all my teeth are shaking. I want to file a case for a money claim. Please advise on this.

Q: I had my braces from a dental clinic in 2016. My teeth had a slanted angle back then. The treatment lasted for 5 years, but then the X-ray showed that the roots of my teeth were shortened and the dentist said we have to stop the treatment and remove the braces because of the risk of losing my teeth. I was very dissatisfied with what happened. I asked what caused the shortening of roots and he did not give me a definite answer. He said probably because I’ve had braces for too long. So to cut the story short, they removed my braces this June. After 5 years, the angle of my tooth is still bad and slanted. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure if this is a reasonable post. But the fact that it took so long for them to fix my teeth and in the end, they were only able to correct the bite.

Q: Dear lawyer, I started fixing my teeth for my full mouth with a dentist in 2017. In the beginning, we fixed a price of 28000 and I've been told by him that it will take few months to complete the work. After that, he never completed it till now 2021. Many times, some of the teeth have been broken and almost 6 times in several spots plus the pain they are causing me. The dentist never completed the work till now and he is always delaying my appointments. I've been asking him several times that I need to finish as it is taking too much time plus it costs me a lot taking taxis every time to his clinic. Also, he's been asking me several times to pay extra charges; we almost reached AED 30500. Note that I have to beg for appointments. Now I want to go to another dentist to complete the work and I want him to pay for that and I need him to compensate me for all the money I spent on taxis and extra charges. Will I win my case?

س: السلام عليكم، تعرضت لوعكة صحية عبارة عن أعراض تقل في الصدر وألم في ذراعي الأيسر يوم 24/10/2021. توجهت إلى عيادة التأمين الخاصة بالعمل وشرحت لهم الأعراض المؤلمة وانتظرت لكي يأتي دوري للتشخيص ومن ثم أدخلتني الممرضة غرفة لإجراء رسم قلب. أُجري رسم القلب ومن ثم أدخلوني للطبيب الموجود الذي أخبرني أنه لا يوجد لدي أي مشاكل صحية وأنه عبارة عن ضغط أو شد أعصاب، وكنت قلقًا بسبب تلك الأعراض التي لم أتعرض لها من قبل فسألته؛ هل هي جلطة أو انسداد شرياني فأجابني بالنفي واستبعاد تلك الأمور. طلبوا مني التوجه إلى طبيب آخر في بر دبي ولكن طلبوا مني الانتظار لحين التواصل مع هذا الطبيب وتحديد موعد لي ولكن بلا جدوى. انتظرت طويلاً وفي النهاية أخبروني أنه عليّ دفع رسوم رسم القلب وأخبروني أنه يتوجب عليّ انتظار مكالمة من الطبيب الآخر ولكن كانت حالتي تزداد سوءًا فتوجهت إلى مستشفى راشد وقد تأخرت بسبب الوقت الذي أمضيته في العيادة الخاصة بالتأمين. أجروا لي فحوصات أخرى وتبين أنها جلطة قلبية وقاموا بإجراء قسطرة ودعامة عاجلة لي وأخبروني أني تعرضت لموت جزء من أنسجة القلب بسبب التأخير والحمد لله على كل حال.  هل أستطيع تقديم شكوى أو مقاضاة تلك العيادة بسبب الإهمال في حالتي؟ وشكرًا!

س: مرحبًا، أدخلنا الوالدة من حوالي شهر لأحد المشافي الخاصة من أجل علاج ورم في الدماغ والورم كان في الجهة اليمنى بعيدًا عن جذع الدماغ. أخبرنا الطبيب أنه سيتمكن من إزالة الأورام وأن حالتها الصحية جيدة وتسمح بإجراء جراحة لها وهذا الكلام مثبت من خلال التقارير ولم يخبرنا شفهيًا أو كتابيًا أنه يمكن أن تدخل في غيبوبة. أجرى الطبيب الجراحة التي استغرقت 11 ساعة في حين كان مقرر لها 8 ساعات. بعد خروج الطبيب أبلغنا أن دماغها كان يعاني من الضغط وأنهم أغلقوا الجمجمة من جديد. حاول الأطباء اليوم الذي يليه أن يوقظونها ولم تستيقظ. بعد 3 أيام جاء الطبيب ليقول إن حالتها حرجة وهي بحاجة إلى عملية عاجلة لإعادة إزالة عظم من الجمجمة (التي أغلقها قبل 3 أيام) وقال أنه يجب أن تتم العملية اليوم ولكن غرفة العمليات ممتلئة فتأجلت لليوم الذي يليه؛ أي بعد 4 أيام من العملية الأولى. وبعد العملية الثانية، قال إن الوضع جيد وهو متأكد أنها ستستفيق وبعد اليوم التالي ذهب في إجازة لمدة 15 يومًا. بعد اليوم الذي سافر فيه، أتانا طبيب آخر ليخبرنا أن فرصة إفاقتها ضعيفة جدًا وهي في غيبوبة منذ شهر. ماذا يمكن أن نفعل في هذه الحالة؟

س: السلام عليكم، عاملة رجعت من الشغل وجدت ذراعها وأصابعها لا تتحرك. ذهبت إلى طبيب علق لها محلولاً وطلب الراحة لمدة ٢٤ ساعة. بعد المحلول لم تستطع المشي وذهبنا للطوارئ في مستشفى خاص رفض الحالة، ثم ذهبنا لمستشفى حكومي وكان التشخيص جلطة في المخ ومن الخطأ ما فعله طبيب العيادة. ما التعويض المناسب؟ الذراع لم يتحرك.

Medical treatment provided to patients does not always achieve the desired results, and sometimes it may lead to catastrophic consequences that cannot be remedied. This is due to several factors, some of these factors are related to the therapist or to the patient himself, or even related to God's will. It was, therefore, necessary for the legislator to intervene and develop the laws governing medical malpractice cases and set the limitations of liability for the therapist in such cases.

Exploring the various factors related to medical errors, including their definition, causes, severity, and legal implications, and highlighting the importance of understanding liability and compensation for patients and healthcare providers alike.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.