UAE Construction Firms Liable for Injuries Caused by Workers Under Civil Law

UAE construction companies are legally responsible for injuries or damages caused by their employees’ actions during the performance of their duties. Under the principle of vicarious liability, the employer bears the financial and legal consequences of a subordinate's negligence or wrongful acts, provided the incident occurs within the scope of employment. Statutory Liability Under Civil Law The legal framework for employer liability is primarily governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 1985 on the Civil Transactions Law. Article 313 specifically outlines that a person can be held responsible for the acts of another. In the context of a construction firm, the "principal" (the company) is liable for the "subordinate" (the worker) if the harm is caused by an unlawful act committed during the course of their work. Legal experts note that for a claim to succeed against a company, the claimant must prove that an employment relationship existed and that the worker was acting on behalf of the company when the injury occurred. This applies to both site-specific accidents and broader damages resulting from professional negligence. Criteria for Compensation Claims Liability is triggered if…