Hospital recovers Dh283,000 after daughter defaults on mother’s medical bill in Dubai

Dubai: The Dubai Civil Court has ordered a Gulf national woman to pay Dh283,103 to a hospital — the outstanding balance for her mother’s treatment — after she failed to honour a formal commitment to settle the amount before her mother’s care began.

The woman, a citizen of a Gulf state, had signed a declaration accepting full responsibility for the cost of her mother’s treatment at a Dubai hospital.

Following the provision of full medical care and necessary treatment, she paid only Dh15,000, leaving Dh283,103 unpaid. She subsequently failed to make further payments, prompting the hospital to file a lawsuit. After reviewing an expert report, the court ruled in the hospital’s favour.

The hospital sought a ruling compelling the woman and her mother to jointly pay Dh283,103, plus 5% legal interest from the date of admission until full settlement, as well as court fees, expenses, and legal costs.

In its statement of claim, the hospital said the first defendant (the mother) had been admitted with multiple complications, including neck and spinal cord injuries affecting her arms. The second defendant (the daughter) signed a written undertaking to cover all treatment costs.

The total bill for services amounted to Dh298,103, of which only Dh15,000 was paid, leaving an unpaid balance of Dh283,103. The hospital stated it had repeatedly contacted both defendants in an effort to settle the matter amicably, but received no response, making legal action necessary.

The hospital’s legal team submitted supporting evidence, including the mother’s admission form, the signed cost undertaking, and a detailed invoice for treatment and services provided.

The court referred the case to a specialised expert, who confirmed the hospital had produced an account statement, detailed service invoices, and a copy of the signed undertaking by the daughter, committing to cover all costs not covered by insurance.

The expert noted there was no evidence showing that the defendants had signed or received the final or partial invoices. However, they had been officially notified of the lawsuit and failed to appear before the expert or submit any objections to the charges. The expert therefore left the decision on the plaintiff’s entitlement to the court’s discretion.

At the final hearing, the hospital was represented by its legal counsel, while the defendants did not attend despite being duly notified. The court proceeded to issue a judgment in absentia.

In its reasoning, the court said it was satisfied from the expert’s report that the medical services had been provided to the first defendant with the consent and signature of the second defendant.

The hospital’s account statement and itemised invoice confirmed the outstanding balance of Dh283,103. The court found the defendants jointly liable for the amount claimed and ordered them to pay it, in addition to court fees, expenses, and legal costs.