Dubai: One of the UAE’s top banking personalities is suing a landmark hotel for Dh50 million in compensation after finding a bloodied bandage in his plate during a VIP business dinner.
The high-profile banker had contacted the Dubai-based hotel to arrange a VIP business dinner, an event where the country’s top banking officials were invited.
Shortly after dinner was served, the banker was shocked to see the blood-soaked bandage in his dish as he was about to start eating.
He was forced to call off the dinner after most of his guests, who also saw the bloodied bandage, were left irritated and disgusted.
Following numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue amicably, the banker’s lawyer Abdullah Al Nasser of Ara’a Group Advocates and Legal Consultants, lodged a civil compensation lawsuit against the hotel for its lack of seriousness in reaching a settlement.
“My client had made arrangements with the hotel to host the VIP business dinner earlier this year. He was left in an embarrassing position in the presence of his guests when the blood-soaked bandage was found in his plate. All the invitees were disturbed at what they saw that my client had to call off his business event. Upon calling the restaurant’s supervising manager, the latter did not take the matter and its potential consequences seriously and simply offered to provide a free meal. The claimant felt belittled and offended with such an unprofessional reaction.
“Having already eaten from his plate and afraid of food poisoning, my client later went to a hospital and did the required blood tests. He documented the incident in a formal email that he sent to the hotel’s management, asking them to investigate the matter. The hotel responded via email and admitted that the incident had happened … but they did not take the matter seriously and offered him a complimentary five-night stay,” the lawyer Al Nasser said in his lawsuit.
The claimant then sent a legal notice to the hotel, but that also failed to settle the matter amicably.
Thereafter, Al Nasser lodged a civil compensation lawsuit before the Dubai Civil Court.
“The hotel management and that of the restaurant failed to adhere to professional and quality standards in such matters. They failed to apply the hygiene standards set by the health and tourism authorities in Dubai. Supposedly, that blood-soaked bandage was contaminated, my client could have suffered of a dangerous or life-threatening bacteria or disease. In accordance to articles 282, 292 and 293 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law, my client is seeking Dh50 million in compensation against his moral, emotional and material damages,” the lawsuit stated.
