THE mother of a British expatriate left with severe brain injuries after being struck by a loose wardrobe panel in an Abu Dhabi hotel is fighting a "devastating" court ruling.
Angie Smith, of Green Trees Avenue in Cold Norton, watched on as an Abu Dhabi court found the hotel, its owners and hospital staff guilty of negligence for the incident involving her daughter Natalie Creane, 34, in 2008.
Mrs Smith is furious that the court granted her daughter just £35 for a £24,000 legal bill.
The family were also given £36,000 compensation, but have spent £170,000 in medical and flight bills, while Mrs Creane has lost £500,000 in earnings.
Mrs Smith, 63, will return to the Middle East on Monday for an appeal on April 17.
"It is just devastating and the £35 is an absolute insult," she said. "The hotel had no defence – their gross negligence caused this accident and has devastated all our lives and could possibly kill my daughter.
"We have begged them to help us on numerous occasions and every single time they have ignored our pleas."
In 2008, Mrs Creane, who moved to Dubai ten years ago, was enjoying a £150-a-night holiday with her partner Trevor at the Emirates Palace Hotel.
While unpacking, she was struck by the 2.2kg panel after it fell from an 11-foot wardrobe. By the time it hit her, the panel had gathered force equal to "three house bricks" weighing 7.5kg.
Mrs Creane was immediately sick and lost consciousness, before hotel staff dragged her into the bathroom rather than calling an ambulance.
She sustained traumatic brain injuries and now suffers from post-traumatic epilepsy, causing her to slip in and out of comas.
Mrs Creane, who worked as an HR director in Dubai, must always have someone by her side.
Yet husband Trevor has to work in the day to keep the couple afloat.
"That's why it's terrifying – she has broken her arm three or four times through seizures," said her mother.
Mrs Smith and her husband Derick, 65, have flown to Dubai a dozen times for various court cases and in February concluded five years of toing-and-froing when the hotel, its owners and the hospital were all found guilty.
The family have appealed to their MP for help and the British Embassy in Dubai without success.
Mrs Smithhas praised the support of her friends who set up a Facebook page called Justice for Natalie.
The page has 30,295 "likes" and friends have arranged a fundraiser on April 26 at the Victoria Arms near Brentwood.
"They've been absolutely amazing and their support is uplifting – it helps her keep going," said Mrs Smith.
"Our neighbours and friends have been incredible.
"They pick us up from the airport, make sure our house is warm, they mow the lawn, they look after our plants, make sure there is bread in the freezer – they can't do enough," she added.
