38-Year-Old Father of Two Has Worked in UAE as Lift Technician for 15 Years.
An Indian expatriate who lost his left leg in a road accident in Ajman has been awarded Dh655,341 in compensation following a prolonged legal case before the Dubai Courts.
Sudheer, who is from the southern Indian state of Kerala, suffered the life-changing injury in an accident last year, leaving him unable to continue working in his profession.
The 38-year-old father of two has worked in the UAE for 15 years as a lift technician and was employed as a supervisor with an Ajman-based company when the accident occurred in May 2025.
His lawyer, Advocate Shamsudeen Karunagappally, said the accident happened while Sudheer was travelling with other workers in a company vehicle to a worksite. According to the lawyer, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which struck an elevated pedestrian walkway before crashing into an electricity pole.
Sudheer’s left leg was severely crushed in the collision, resulting in injuries that ultimately prevented him from returning to his job.
Sudheer was rushed to NMC Royal Hospital in Jebel Ali, Dubai, where doctors initially attempted to save his injured leg. However, the extent of the damage meant his left leg had to be amputated below the knee.
Legal battle for compensation
Following the accident, a compensation case was filed against the insurance company before the Dubai Courts through Advocate Shamsudeen Karunagappally, Senior Legal Consultant at Ayesha Aldhaheri Advocates in Dubai.
The legal firm sought Dh1 million in compensation, citing the permanent disability suffered by Sudheer, who had been healthy before the accident, as well as his inability to continue working and earning a livelihood.
The claim also took into account the physical and psychological suffering caused by the accident and the financial and emotional impact on his wife and two children.
The Court of First Instance initially awarded Sudheer Dh400,000 in compensation. His lawyer subsequently appealed the ruling, and a higher court increased the amount to Dh600,000.
A total of Dh655,341, including the compensation award and court costs, was recently received from the insurance company and transferred to Sudheer’s bank account.
The legal proceedings, however, are continuing. Advocate Shamsudeen said a further appeal has been filed before the Dubai Court of Cassation seeking additional compensation, arguing that the amount awarded does not adequately reflect the extent of Sudheer’s injuries and their long-term consequences.
Sudheer has also continued to receive medical treatment since the accident. According to his lawyer, he suffered injuries to his right leg as well and remains under treatment for those injuries.
