Q: Greetings, I am a resident of the UAE. On a visit to one of the most reputed malls in Dubai, I slipped on ice cream that was dropped on the floor by someone else. The mall security was informed and I was taken to the hospital by ambulance that they called for. I was first diagnosed with a grade 2 inversion sprain on my ankle but 5 weeks from the incident an MRI proves it is a grade 3 meaning completely disrupted ligaments. Recovery also will go on into months. I am covered by insurance but would like to know if the mall is liable to cover the medical costs completely. I would also like to know if I can claim compensation for the pain, inconvenience and hopefully temporary disability it has caused? Thank you for your response.

Q: Greetings, I have a query that I hope you are able to answer. I had a fall/accident in one of the major malls in Dubai due to their gross negligence and injured my ankle. This happened 10 weeks ago, and I am still being treated for the injury. I am considering purchasing a Fixed Fee service from you - Drafting and Serving a legal notice to the mall management in regards to compensation. I would like to know what would your professional fees be if I required your expertise to negotiate a settlement beyond this fixed fee service? Looking forward to your response. Thank you.

Q: Hi, My mother was visiting Dubai and she slipped and fell as she stepped outside my sister's apartment. The floor outside the apartment was slippery and wet, the cleaners had removed the mat at the entrance of the door and failed to dry the floor or put any warning signs in that area. My mother suffered severe injuries, most serious being a fracture at the neck of the femur, which required a surgery. She did not have travel insurance. I approached the facilities management company about this, and they got the cleaning contractor to settle the hospital bill. However, my mother has a permanent rod and screw holding her hip and femur together and will never be the same again, so I want to claim compensation. Do I have a case to claim compensation for personal injury? Who is at fault, the facilities management company or the cleaning company who provides the cleaning service on their behalf? Both companies have been ignoring my letters about compensation.

Q: I had an accident in a hotel in Dubai. When I tried to go out, my face got hit by the glass door. My nose got hurt with bleeding and cut over it. I don't know if I can do something against the hotel since there was nothing on the glass; like a sticker that tells it is locked. It is very dangerous! Also, the staff told me that it is not the first time it happens.

Q: Dear sir/madam, I had a car accident in Dubai. I want to file a case against the person who caused the accident. What kind of compensation can I expect? Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My office staff member was hit by a bus and suffered four broken ribs, a lung puncture, and a broken hip. He is currently receiving treatment. I would like to understand who is liable for compensation. Is it the vehicle's motor policy? The police will be taking his statement on Friday.

Personal injury involves an injury sustained physically, emotionally and mentally. The injured person is entitled to claim damages where he has suffered an injury due to the other person’s wrongdoing. The victim may file a case against the person, who is found guilty in a criminal case or his insurance company if the defaulter has secured himself by insurance. The UAE civil law allows filing a compensation claim for injury damages.

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.