Families of the 17 people killed in a bus crash in Dubai could be entitled to compensation, legal experts said.
Under UAE law, Dh200,000 in blood money – known as dia – can be paid to the family of a victim.
In some cases, this figure can be higher and the families could also file civil suits.
But before any compensation is paid out, a Dubai court will have to pass judgment on who is deemed culpable for the accident. On Thursday, more than half of the 31 passengers travelling to Dubai from Muscat, Oman, were killed in the crash.
The bus, driven by an Omani man in his 50s, rammed into an overhanging height-restriction barrier.
Most passengers were returning to the emirate after spending the Eid Al Fitr holiday in the neighbouring country.
The dead, among them 12 Indians, two Pakistanis, an Irishwoman and a Bangladeshi citizen, have since been repatriated and buried.
Investigations into the accident by police and prosecutors are under way, and the results will be presented at the First Criminal Court.
Once Dubai Police and prosecutors complete their investigation, the First Criminal Court will pronounce a judgment on who is to blame for the accident.
“In the UAE, Dh200,000 is the amount awarded in cases of death but this can go up as the judge has the right to add damages and compensation that are not part of the dia money,” said Ghassan El Daye, head of litigation Middle East with law firm Charles Russell Speechlys.
“This is because the court plays the role of guaranteeing the rights of the victims. Under UAE law, in cases of death, the court can rule at the same time on the responsibility and on the dia money.”
If the prosecution’s investigation finds the driver responsible, the family of the deceased will require certificates to prove that they are the legal heirs, said Hashik T K, legal consultant with Abdul Rahman Moutawaa Associates.
"We must wait for the court judgment but the family must obtain a legal heirs certificate to claim for compensation," he said.
The families will also need their relative’s death certificate and will have to submit medical records and proof of income to indicate their earning capacity before filing a civil suit for compensation.
Barney Almazar, a director at Gulf Law, said that in previous cases families have either settled the case out of court or filed a case for damages and loss of earnings.
“Depending on the person’s salary and the number of people the deceased was supporting, the court will calculate how much the family has lost and decide on the compensation amount,” he said.
A potential range of compensation cannot be estimated because it will be determined based on several factors including age and if the deceased was the family's sole breadwinner.
For the 14 passengers who survived the crash, judges will consider awarding them compensation for any injuries sustained or disabilities, based on medical reports.
“Under UAE law, the injury will be categorised as temporary or permanent,” Mr El Daye said.
“The court will obtain medical records about the extent the injury affects the person’s job performance and that will determine the level of compensation.
“If for any reason the judgment cannot be executed in Dubai, it can be enforced in Oman for recovery of the amounts,” Mr El Daye said.
“Oman is signatory to the convention that governs judicial co-operation between countries under the Arab League.”
THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
More about Middle East geopolitics
The%20Sandman
%3Cp%3ECreators%3A%20Neil%20Gaiman%2C%20David%20Goyer%2C%20Allan%20Heinberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Tom%20Sturridge%2C%20Boyd%20Holbrook%2C%20Jenna%20Coleman%20and%20Gwendoline%20Christie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Squads
India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur
West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
More on animal trafficking
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
