In a recent legal ruling, an Abu Dhabi court has ordered an ophthalmologist and a medical center to jointly pay Dh100,000 in compensation to a patient after a surgical error during cataract treatment. The patient had filed a lawsuit seeking Dh400,000 in compensation for both material and moral damages, claiming significant vision loss caused by a mistake made during a lens implant surgery on his right eye.
The case was heard in the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court, which determined that the ophthalmologist failed to provide medical care following recognized standards. The court found that the surgical procedure, which was intended to treat cataracts, resulted in the perforation of the posterior membrane of the patient’s right eye. This led to visual impairment, preventing the patient from continuing his work.
Although the plaintiff sought a larger sum for damages and requested a medical committee referral to assess potential permanent disability, the court ruled that the surgical error was non-severe and did not cause permanent disability. However, the doctor’s failure to follow established medical practices still led to harm, and both the doctor and medical center were held jointly liable for the mistake. 
The court cited Federal Law No. (4) of 2016 on Medical Liability, which defines a medical error as the failure to meet expected professional standards and knowledge. Based on expert testimony and the surgical report, the court determined that a medical error had occurred, justifying the compensation. As a result, the court ordered the doctor and the medical center to pay Dh100,000 in compensation, along with covering court fees, legal expenses, and attorney’s costs.
This ruling serves as an important reminder for medical professionals to adhere to established medical protocols and for patients to be aware of their rights in the event of medical errors.
