Dubai: A 47-year-old Indian has been awarded one million dirhams (USD 272,257) as compensation by a Dubai court after a car accident left him paralysed. A K, identified only by his initials, had lost his ability to eat or drink and needed 24-hour assistance following the 2012 accident. The Dubai Appeals Court ordered the insurance company to pay one million dirhams in civil compensation to A K, Gulf News reported. The man, who worked as a cook for 17 years, was travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in a vehicle when the driver fell asleep before losing control of the car, which overturned on Dubai Bypass Road.

A K was later admitted to a hospital and underwent surgery. He had to remain in hospital for three months. He has since been repatriated. The man lodged a civil lawsuit against the insurance company seeking two million dirhams in compensation. "A K sustained medical, physical, financial and moral damages following the accident. He cannot eat, drink, walk or use his hands or legs or even use the washroom without a permanent escort," according to his lawsuit. A court-assigned medical committee said the victim sustained a 100 per cent permanent disability and that his condition would not improve.