UAE: Delivery rider gets Dh5 million compensation after car accident leaves him paralysed

A 22-year-old grocery delivery rider was awarded Dh5 million as compensation after a car accident left him paralysed. According to his lawyers, this is a landmark judgement that will help the man continue his treatment to regain some of his abilities.

Shifin Ummer Kummali suffered 100 per cent paralysis after the accident. A court awarded the compensation last year, but the money was handed over to Shifin’s parents during a conference on Monday in Dubai. According to a source close to the case, it took a year of formalities and work to get the payout.

Shifin, who worked in a grocery store in Al Ain, was on his way to make a delivery in March 2022 when a vehicle driven by an Arab youth rammed into him and drove away without stopping.

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"Authorities worked very hard to pull the CCTV footage and ascertain the cause of accident as well as find the driver,” said Anees Easa, Director and Consultant at Frangulf Advocates. "The compensation was paid by the insurance company. The driver was fined Dh5,000 for his negligence. An additional Dh73,000 was also awarded to the family for their legal expenses."

Easa noted that the case was significantly aided by the fact that both Shifin and his motorcycle were insured. “A lot of delivery boys go out on electric cycles and scooters,” he said. “If one of them gets into an accident, not only will they not get any compensation but they will be liable for any damages they cause.”

Key factors

Emirati lawyer Fareed Al Hassan, who represented Shifin in court, highlighted several key factors that influenced the compensation amount. “He was a young man and the only breadwinner for his parents,” he said. “He is completely paralysed which means he will need help for many years to come if not his entire life. His father had to quit his job to care for him. So all these factors contributed to the amount of compensation.”

Initially, the Insurance Authority Court awarded Dh2.8 million in compensation to Shifin's family. Recognising the severity of Shifin's injuries as well as his ongoing and future medical needs, the legal team pushed for a higher amount. Their efforts paid off, as the Appellate Court increased the compensation to Dh5 million, a verdict later upheld by the Supreme Court.

Easa explained that, given Shifin's condition, the courts viewed him as a dependent under his father's guardianship when making their decision. “At one point in the case, the court also wanted to see his mother,” he said. “So we flew her in from India. We made sure that we left no stone unturned to secure this settlement for his family. If they did not get the amount, they would have had to resort to begging or launch fundraisers to care for their son. This amount has maintained the family’s dignity.”

'We are hopeful'

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