An Abu Dhabi court has decided that a nanny must pay Dh10,000 in compensation to the mother of a boy who was found guilty of assaulting that boy.
This civil ruling came months after a criminal court sentenced that nanny to a one‑month suspended jail term and a Dh3,000 fine for endangering the child’s safety.
In both cases a medical report confirmed that the boy had scratches on his chest and under his jaw. These injuries occurred while the boy was in the care of that nanny.
After the criminal case concluded the child’s mother pursued a civil claim seeking Dh25,000 in damages for the emotional and financial toll of that incident.
She told the court that she had entrusted that nanny with her son’s safety while she was away for that trust to be broken.
In her defence, the nanny disputed having any caregiving role at all, insisting she had been hired strictly as a driver.
She further argued that the case stemmed from a dispute over unpaid wages rather than any wrongdoing on her part, and asked the court to dismiss the claim as retaliatory.
Judges rejected that argument, ruling that her guilt had already been conclusively established by the criminal court and could not be reopened during compensation proceedings.
The civil bench noted that the underlying offence in both cases was identical, meaning her denial carried no legal standing once the criminal verdict became final.
In awarding damages, the court weighed the boy’s documented injuries, related medical costs, and the psychological toll on both mother and child, describing their loss of trust in someone responsible for the boy’s welfare.
The Dh10,000 award covers material and moral damages plus legal costs, and will accrue four per cent annual interest from the date the ruling becomes final until settled, capped so total interest does not exceed the original sum.
