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The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Court determined that the company’s negligence had harmed the child’s physical integrity and caused moral damage in the form of pain, sorrow and grief to both the girl and her father. In addition to the civil award, the operator faced a Dh30,000 criminal fine for the same incident, bringing the total financial obligation to Dh55,000. The father had originally demanded Dh100,000 in the lawsuit for material, moral, psychological and other damages along with nine percent legal interest from the filing date, according to details in the ruling.
Court documents show the incident occurred while the family attended an entertainment festival in the emirate. When the six-year-old girl and her brother attempted to board the ride, staff refused to allow the accompanying domestic worker to join despite the child’s young age. Once the attraction began operating, the girl’s left leg became trapped in a metal component of the equipment.
A medical report presented to the court described the resulting injuries as severe, including a closed fracture of the left tibia along with knee bruising, a dislocated patella, swelling and restricted movement. Park staff did not stop the ride or call for emergency assistance, forcing the father to transport his daughter to a hospital emergency department on his own. The Abu Dhabi court heard how these failures directly contributed to the extent of the harm suffered.
The judgment required the company to pay the full Dh25,000 as comprehensive compensation covering all claims in addition to court fees and Dh500 in attorney costs. Emirates 24|7 reported that the civil decision followed the criminal conviction over inadequate safety precautions at the facility. Records indicate the court reviewed both the medical evidence and testimony about the sequence of events before reaching its verdict.
A similar 2019 Abu Dhabi amusement park case reported by Khaleej Times resulted in an Dh80,000 fine for the operator and a one-year jail sentence for an employee after a nine-year-old girl fell from equipment due to missing safety restraints. That incident caused injuries to the child’s back, hands and feet, prompting authorities to stress the need for proper supervision. Local media coverage at the time highlighted how such oversights can lead to both criminal and civil liability.
Abu Dhabi authorities have addressed multiple negligence claims involving recreational sites in recent years through the emirate’s family and civil courts. One 2022 ruling covered by Khaleej Times awarded a family Dh700,000 after a swing accident at an Al Ain public park caused multiple skull fractures to a schoolgirl on a class trip. These precedents demonstrate the judicial focus on holding operators accountable for child safety at public attractions.
