Work Injury Compensation in the UAE: What Should an Employee Do?
Understand UAE work-injury reporting, treatment costs, sick-pay periods and the evidence needed for a compensation claim.
What the rule means
For a private-sector work injury or occupational illness, the employer must arrange and pay for treatment and report the incident to MOHRE within 48 hours. During treatment, the worker can receive full pay for up to six months, followed by half pay for up to another six months if treatment continues.
What to do next
1. Get urgent care first
Use emergency services when necessary and tell the provider that the injury happened at work. Health comes before paperwork.
2. Report the incident in writing
Tell the employer promptly and record the time, place, task, witnesses and symptoms. Keep photographs and medical records where appropriate.
3. Confirm the official report
Ask for the MOHRE report reference and the employer’s insurance or treatment instructions. The employer’s reporting deadline is 48 hours.
4. Track pay and medical decisions
Keep every certificate, bill and payslip. Permanent disability or death compensation follows separate medical and legal assessment, so obtain case-specific advice.
Important: Do not sign a settlement or statement you do not understand. Serious injury claims depend on medical findings and the facts of the incident.
Before you act
Official guidance sets compensation for death or permanent disability by reference to 24 months of basic wage, subject to stated minimum and maximum limits. The exact amount and disability percentage require the formal assessment.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 9 October 2026 against UAE Government — Work injury compensation ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.