Abu Dhabi: An Indian salesman in Abu Dhabi has won Dh1 million in compensation after he sustained a permanent spine injury in a road accident last year.
Manzour Hamza, 44, who hails from Fort Cochin in Kerala, was awarded the compensation by the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeals on December 17. According to legal sources, it is rare to win Dh1 million as compensation from insurance companies in accident claims.
“I have no words to thank my lawyers and the UAE’s judicial system. I can secure my family’s future and fund my treatment with this money,” an elated Hamza told XPRESS. He said he is unable to do strenuous jobs and will need lifelong treatment. Hamza, who is married with two children, suffered the accident near Abu Dhabi Airport on October 2, 2012 when a car rammed into the van he was driving. He was admitted to Mafraq Hospital for two weeks, and was later advised complete rest for two months.
Permanent injury
The Abu Dhabi Civil Court ordered a compensation of Dh800,000 after a medical panel concluded that his injuries are permanent and has caused 100 per cent damage to his spine. The Appeals Court raised the compensation to Dh1 million. Abdul Aziz Karama Al Amiri, the UAE lawyer who appeared for Hamza, said it is one of the biggest compensation amounts his law firm has won for an accident victim. “It was a deserving case hence we decided to appear for him even without charging the initial court fee,” said Al Amiri who runs Abdul Aziz Al Amiri Lawyers and Legal Consultants firm in Abu Dhabi.
Hamza, who is planning to return to India soon, said his only regret was that his elder daughter, aged 21, had to discontinue her medical studies because of financial difficulties. “I could not afford to pay her fees at that time. If I had this kind of money then my daughter would have become a doctor,” said Hamza, who came to the UAE 15 years ago and lives with his wife Shaheena. He has been working for an Abu Dhabi bakery as a salesman and driver for the last seven years.
Hamza said all his hopes are pinned on his younger daughter who is a grade 10 student in Kerala. “I want to give her a good education. I will also use this money to start a business to support my family, and also to fund my daughters’ marriages,” he said.
