Tanjavur Native’s Family Awarded ₹86 Lakhs Compensation Following Road Accident in Umm Al Quwain

UMM AL QUWAIN: The court has ordered a total compensation of AED 350,000 (approximately ₹86 Lakhs) to be paid to the family of Mohamed Hanifa Rahmathulla, a native of Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu, who was killed in a tragic road accident. This significant legal victory was secured through the persistent efforts of Salam Pappinissery, CEO of YAB Legal Services.

The fatal accident occurred on November 26, 2024, in the Umm Al Quwain Industrial Area. Mohamed Hanifa was walking between containers along the roadside when he was struck by a Mitsubishi Canter truck driven by a Syrian national. The court found that the driver was traveling at an excessive speed and operating the vehicle with gross negligence, which led to the immediate death of the victim.

Following the investigation, the Criminal Court found the driver guilty on three separate charges. The court imposed a fine of AED 5,000 on the driver and ordered him to pay AED 200,000 as Diyyah (Blood Money) to the family of the deceased. Additionally, as per Islamic law, the driver was ordered to fast for two consecutive months (Kaffarah) as penance for the accidental death.

Recognizing that the standard Blood Money (Diyyah) alone was insufficient to cover the immense financial loss and suffering of the bereaved family, the legal team at YAB Legal Services initiated further proceedings. They approached the Insurance Dispute Resolution Committee, filing a comprehensive legal memorandum supported by forensic and police reports.

After reviewing the arguments presented by Salam Pappinissery and his team, the court upheld the family's right to additional damages. The court ordered the insurance company to pay an additional AED 150,000 in compensation, bringing the total amount to AED 350,000.

Furthermore, the court directed that an annual interest of 5% be applied to the total amount, effective from the date of the verdict until the final payment is settled. This ruling ensures that the victim's family, who lost their primary breadwinner, receives a more substantial financial cushion to secure their future.