Two Men Sustain Second- and Third-Degree Burns After Drain-Cleaning Chemical Is Used to Wash Passage Behind Restaurant.
An Al Ain court has ordered a restaurant owner and two employees to pay a total of Dh50,000 in compensation to two young men who suffered serious chemical burns after slipping on a hazardous cleaning substance.
The incident occurred in a passageway behind the restaurant that the victims regularly used to leave their residential building.
According to court records, a chemical product designed to clear blocked drains had been used to clean the passage.
As the two men walked through the area, they slipped and fell, coming into direct contact with the corrosive substance.
The exposure caused severe injuries, leaving one victim with third-degree burns and the other with second-degree burns.
The incident resulted in criminal proceedings against the restaurant owner and the two workers, who were subsequently convicted.
Victims seek Dh300,000 in compensation
Following the criminal convictions, the injured men filed a civil lawsuit against the restaurant owner and two employees, demanding a combined Dh300,000 in damages for the physical injuries and psychological distress they experienced.
The first claimant requested Dh200,000, while the second sought Dh100,000.
Their compensation claims were based on the severity of their burns, the medical treatment they required and the lasting effects of their injuries.
As part of the civil proceedings, a forensic medical expert assessed the extent of the damage suffered by both victims.
The medical examination revealed that the first claimant had sustained permanent skin disfigurement affecting his left arm, back, right side of his torso and both legs.
The injuries and subsequent surgical procedures resulted in an impairment assessed at 15 per cent of his overall skin function.
The second claimant was left with scarring on his arms and legs, with the resulting impairment assessed at 5 per cent.
The restaurant owner and employees challenged the compensation demands through their legal representative.
Their lawyer asked the court to reject the civil lawsuit and require the claimants to cover the legal expenses and court fees.
However, the Al Ain Civil, Commercial and Administrative Court determined that the earlier criminal ruling had already established the circumstances of the incident, its legal classification and the defendants’ responsibility.
Because the civil compensation case concerned the same incident, the court explained that it was legally bound by the findings of the criminal judgment and could not reopen issues already decided.
After reviewing the forensic medical evidence and assessing the harm suffered by both men, the court awarded Dh30,000 to the first victim and Dh20,000 to the second.
The restaurant owner and two employees were held jointly responsible for paying the compensation.
The court also directed the defendants to cover the legal costs of the proceedings, including Dh300 in lawyers’ fees.
