Family granted Dh7m after anaesthetic overdose leaves boy brain-dead

Abu Dhabi: The family of a 12-year-old boy who suffered brain damage following an overdose of anaesthetic is to be granted Dh7 million in punitive damages, the Abu Dhabi Civil Court has ruled.

The boy was declared brain-dead after a doctor miscalculated the amount of anaesthetic the young boy needed to treat his broken forearm, causing an overdose.

The tragedy left the boy connected to a machine to help him breathe and he was left with no mental capacity.

Initially the Public Prosecution looked into the case and referred both the doctor and hospital responsible to the Abu Dhabi Court of Misdemeanours which sentenced the doctor to a one-year jail term, while clearing the hospital of any charges.

However, the boy’s father filed a case to the Court of Appeals which ordered that Dh200,000 be paid in ‘blood money’ (as opposed to the usual Dh100,000) and that the hospital pay Dh10,000 in fines.

Finally, the case was taken up to the Civil Court which ordered both the hospital and the doctor involved to pay Dh7 million in addition to the Dh200,000; a decision supported by the Court of Appeals.

The family initially asked for Dh15 million, as the incident was said to be affecting every member of the family, as well as depriving the boy of a future and he needed daily medical care.

Meanwhile, a report by the UAE Supreme Committee for Medical Liability said that there had been major shortcomings in the medical care provided to the victim.

Following the incident the committee said that the boy will require daily medical care throughout his life, and special equipment due to his disabilities.