Ex-wife wins BD50,000 compensation over acid attack in mall car park

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini man and his nephew have been ordered by the High Civil Court to pay BD50,000 to his former wife after throwing a corrosive liquid on her in a shopping mall car park, leaving her with severe burns and a 60 per cent permanent disability.

The pair had earlier been found guilty by the High Criminal Court, with the verdict upheld by the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court, and each was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Facts With the criminal judgment final, the civil court said the facts were established and required compensation for both the physical and emotional harm.

Kumail Al Alawi, acting for the claimant, said the attack caused permanent scarring, restricted movement and lasting harm that could not be undone.

He filed the civil case on her behalf, seeking BD50,000 for material and moral damages.

Harm

In its reasoning, the court said the Civil Code makes anyone who causes harm liable for compensation, and when more than one person is responsible, they are jointly liable.

It added that a criminal judgment that has ruled on the facts binds the civil court, which cannot revisit the matter.

The ruling said the final criminal judgment proved both defendants carried out the attack, meeting the requirements for tortious liability.

Medical report

A forensic medical report found the claimant suffered 60 per cent disability, severe disfigurement, limits to her movement and psychological trauma.

The court assessed BD45,000 for material loss and BD5,000 for moral harm.

Both defendants must pay the full BD50,000, along with court costs and legal fees.