Dubai court orders delivery firm to pay Dhs172,985 hospital bill for uninsured employee

A Dubai court has mandated a delivery services company to cover Dhs172,985 in hospital expenses for an uninsured employee. The employee was admitted in March 2025 after experiencing severe epileptic seizures and a diminished level of consciousness. His treatment spanned 22 days, accumulating the substantial medical bill.

The hospital initiated legal action against the employee, a guarantor, and the delivery company. The company's owner initially claimed the employee was insured, leading the court to involve the insurance provider in the lawsuit. However, an insurance expert's review revealed that the group insurance policy active when the employee was hospitalized did not include him. His name was only added to a new policy implemented in December 2025, after the incident occurred.

The court cited Dubai's health insurance law, which obligates employers to bear the costs of emergency medical care for employees if they lack health coverage, until the immediate health danger is resolved. Consequently, the delivery company was ordered to pay the full hospital bill, plus 5% annual interest from the date of the legal claim, along with associated fees and attorney costs. The lawsuit against the insurance company was dismissed due to a lack of legal standing.