Worker Injured Without Health Insurance: Court Orders Employer to Pay Dh216,000
Dubai: A Dubai court has ordered an employer to pay over Dh216,000 in medical expenses after failing to provide health insurance for an employee who was injured in a fall from height.
The Dubai Court of First Instance ruled that both the employer and the employee are jointly liable for the unpaid hospital bill but held the employer legally responsible under Dubai’s health insurance law.
Emergency Admission
Court records show that the employee was admitted to a private hospital on March 22 last year after sustaining multiple fractures in a fall from height. The case was classified as an emergency.
The hospital provided medical care and conducted all necessary examinations until the patient was discharged on April 8, 2025.
The total cost of treatment amounted to Dh216,096.76, the court heard.
Court documents revealed that the employee had signed an undertaking accepting responsibility for payment. However, it later emerged that he was not covered by health insurance in the UAE, despite being employed by the first defendant company.
No Health Coverage
Under Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 on Health Insurance, employers are legally required to provide health insurance coverage for their employees. In emergency cases, the law mandates that employers bear the cost of medical services if an employee is not insured.
The court found no evidence that the worker had been enrolled in any health insurance scheme.
Citing established Court of Cassation rulings, the judge noted that the law is designed to ensure healthcare access for all residents and that employers cannot avoid liability when they fail to insure their employees.
“The source of the employer’s obligation in emergency cases is the law,” the verdict stated.
Joint Liability
The court ruled that both the employer and the employee are jointly liable for the outstanding amount of Dh216,096.76.
However, because the employer failed to enroll the worker in mandatory health insurance, it was held responsible alongside the employee for the full amount.
The court also awarded 5 per cent annual interest on the outstanding amount, calculated from April 8, 2025 — the date of the patient’s discharge — until full payment is made.
Compensation Claim Rejected
The hospital had additionally sought Dh50,000 in compensation for material and moral damages resulting from the delayed payment. However, the court rejected the claim, stating that the awarded interest sufficiently compensates for the delay.
The defendants were also ordered to pay court costs and Dh500 in legal fees.
