Q: Hi, I just wanted clarification on something. I recently wrote to a clinic where I had a bad experience - in a private email - to complain about the service. The clinic has now threatened me with breach of Federal Law. I haven't published anything on social media but did say in my email that I wouldn't recommend the clinic on platforms where families chat about which clinic they should choose for IVF. How much in trouble am I with the Clinic? What can they do? I was just expressing my personal experience! Thank you.

Q: I went to a hospital to have a medical check-up as I had a weird feeling, they ran the tests and they told me that I am fine and nothing is wrong and that I am cancer free. A year later, I went to the same hospital as I have been informed by another hospital that I may have breast cancer, they ran the tests again and they said it is a benign tumor. However, when I traveled back to the US and had another check-up I was informed that the tumor is malignant. I had to go through surgery and chemotherapy and be absent from work for a long time to get the treatment. I was also informed that if I had known about it the first time I was diagnosed, there would have been a better chance to cure it at early stages. Can I claim for compensation from the hospital for negligence and how much can I claim for?

Q: What is the statute of limitation for medical negligence/malpractice under UAE civil and criminal laws?

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: The hospital I visit provided my information to someone calling pretending to be my husband. I don't have a husband. Now, the hospital says they only provided my appointments, but even then it's still a violation of my privacy. And they won't let me listen to the phone record. What can I do?

Q: I am doing laser hair removal for beard shaping but accidentally they did one laser shot of my full face. Now, there are patches on my beard. Can I sue the clinic? They said that it will recover but will take time. It has been a month now but there’s no change. It is still looking patchy.

Q: Hello Sir/Madam, I did a wart removal surgery for my dog in a vet clinic in Sharjah for her eyelid but due to the negligence of the surgeon but the vet did not remove the sutures so it rubs on her eye causing an ulcer. When I took the dog to the clinic, they put cortisone drops in her eye resulting in a melting ulcer and the dog lost her eyesight. Later, I found from another vet that the surgery was done wrongly so her eyelashes rub on her eyeball causing pain and damage. But putting cortisone drops made it worst. My dog underwent another surgery to save her eye which costed me to fix her and as per the second vet, the eye damage is permanent with a scar but her eyeball was saved from bursting due to pressure. Now every month, I need to take her for treatment and her eyelashes are growing inwards causing pain and the damage is lifelong. As an owner, I'm sad for my dog who lost her vision due to the vet mistake. Therefore, I want to know can I sue the clinic for negligence and medical error.

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.

The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.

The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).

The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection.