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I Think the Doctor Misdiagnosed Me

“I think the doctor misdiagnosed me”

A possible misdiagnosis is a question of medical liability, which in the UAE goes through a dedicated assessment process before it can reach a court.

If you think something went wrong with your diagnosis or care, it's understandable to want answers. This page explains how that question is generally assessed in the UAE — whether the standard of care was met is a question for qualified medical assessors, not something this page or LEXNOVA can judge. LEXNOVA Legal Connect can help you describe your situation and find a lawyer who handles these cases.

LAST REVIEWED 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

WHERE THIS IS HANDLED

A dedicated medical liability committee assessment, connected to the relevant emirate's health regulator (DHA, DOH, or MOHAP federally), before any court claim proceeds.

How the answer changes by jurisdiction

  • Dubai mainland

    Healthcare providers in Dubai are regulated by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and medical liability complaints connected to Dubai generally proceed through the DHA-linked committee process before reaching a court.

  • DIFC

    DIFC sits within Dubai, and healthcare providers operating there are still licensed and regulated by the Dubai Health Authority. A misdiagnosis concern connected to a DIFC-based clinic follows the same DHA-linked process.

  • Abu Dhabi mainland

    Healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi are regulated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH), and medical liability complaints connected to Abu Dhabi generally proceed through the DOH-linked committee process before reaching a court.

  • ADGM

    ADGM sits within Abu Dhabi, and healthcare providers operating there are still licensed and regulated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. A misdiagnosis concern connected to an ADGM-based clinic follows the same DOH-linked process.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT

STEP 01

Get your full medical records

Start by requesting a complete copy of your medical records, including test results, notes, and any imaging. You're generally entitled to these, and they're the foundation of any review that follows.

STEP 02

Understand this needs an independent medical assessment

Whether a diagnosis fell below the expected standard of care isn't something you, LEXNOVA, or even a lawyer alone can determine — it requires review by qualified medical professionals through the proper process. Be cautious of anyone who tells you upfront that malpractice definitely occurred before that review has happened.

STEP 03

Raise the concern with the facility or the regulator

Depending on your situation, a complaint may start with the healthcare facility itself or be raised with the relevant emirate health regulator. A lawyer can advise on the right starting point for your case.

STEP 04

Go through the medical liability committee process

In the UAE, a dedicated committee generally assesses medical liability complaints before a case can proceed to court. This committee reviews the medical evidence and forms a view on whether the standard of care was met.

STEP 05

Understand what can follow the committee's assessment

Depending on what the committee finds, a case may proceed as a civil claim, and in serious cases involving harm, it can also involve the police and Public Prosecution. A lawyer can explain what applies to your specific situation.

STEP 06

Act promptly

There are time limits for raising a medical liability complaint, and they can be shorter than people expect. Don't wait to get advice, even while you're still processing what happened.

START YOUR REQUEST

Tell Us About Your Situation.

The matter type is already set to Medical Malpractice & Healthcare, so the form begins with your location. LEXNOVA is a lawyer-matching service, not a law firm — any legal advice comes directly from the independent legal professional you are connected with.

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FAQ

This distinction is exactly what the medical liability committee process exists to assess. It requires a qualified medical review, not a general opinion — including from us.

A dedicated medical liability committee, connected to the relevant health regulator — DHA in Dubai, DOH in Abu Dhabi, or MOHAP at the federal level — reviews these complaints before any court case can proceed.

DHA regulates healthcare in Dubai, DOH regulates it in Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP is the federal health authority, which also sets the baseline for the other emirates. Which one applies to your case depends on where the care was provided.

The committee process itself involves medical assessment. Your lawyer can advise on whether additional independent medical input is useful for your specific case.

This can complicate matters but doesn't automatically prevent a complaint or claim. A lawyer can advise on the options available.

Depending on the facts, a claim may potentially involve the facility, the individual practitioner, or both. A lawyer can assess who is the appropriate party in your case.

Yes, and it can be shorter than people assume. Get advice as early as possible rather than waiting.

It shouldn't, but if you're concerned about your care relationship with a particular provider, raise this with your lawyer, who can advise on how to manage it.

The committee examines the medical evidence and forms a view on whether the standard of care was met. A lawyer can help you understand how to present your case to it.

In serious cases, particularly involving significant harm, it's possible for the police and Public Prosecution to become involved alongside or after the committee process. A lawyer can advise on whether that's relevant to your situation.

That's useful information to bring into the process, though it isn't, by itself, the same as the formal committee assessment your case will still need to go through.

Everything — consultation notes, test and lab results, imaging, prescriptions, and any correspondence with the facility about your care.

The committee's role is to assess the medical standard of care, which is a central part of any case, but a lawyer can help you understand what its findings mean for the legal options open to you.

Both types of facility fall under the relevant emirate's health regulator, though there can be procedural differences. A lawyer can advise on what applies to your specific provider.

It's possible, depending on the case, but this isn't something we'll speculate on generally — a lawyer can advise on what applies once the facts and any committee findings are known.

No — LEXNOVA is not a law firm and has no medical expertise. LEXNOVA Legal Connect can help you describe what happened and find a lawyer who can guide you through the proper medical liability process.

LEXNOVA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, legal representation, or legal services. Any legal advice or representation is provided directly by the independent legal professional engaged by the client.

A connection or introduction does not constitute a guarantee, endorsement, or assurance of outcome. Users should independently confirm the professional's qualifications, authorization, fees, scope of engagement, and suitability.

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