A politician is appealing to the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi in a bid to help an Essex family fight a court ruling that left their brain-damaged daughter with just £35 to pay her £24,000 legal bill.
Maldon MP John Whittingdale wants justice for 34-year-old Natalie Creane, an expat who now suffers from severe brain injuries after being hit by a loose wardrobe panel in an Abu Dhabi hotel in 2008.
Mr Whittingdale, who met with Mrs Creane's parents Angie and Derick Smith from Cold Norton on Saturday before they flew out, said he would do everything he could to help.
"It's going to be terribly difficult – our ability to influence events is very limited," he said.
"I know the Foreign Office is aware and are doing what they can, while I will try to draw attention through the Abu Dhabi authorities, and even through the Sheikh."
The Sheikh and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, is known for having a good relationship with the UK.
He has twice welcomed the Queen to his country and from April 30 until May 1, the Sheikh will visit the UK on a state visit.
Mr Whittingdale added: "My powers are extremely limited; we have no say in what happens over there.
"When you are dealing with a foreign government it's very hard and the Abu Dhabi legal system is something of a mystery.
"Yet a personal appeal to the ruler may be the best approach."
In 2008, Mrs Creane, who moved to Dubai ten years ago, was enjoying a £150-a-night holiday with her fiancé, and now husband, Trevor at the Emirates Palace Hotel in the United Arab Emirates state.
While unpacking, she was struck by a 2.2kg panel after it fell from an 11-foot wardrobe.
By the time it hit her, it had gathered the 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.
She has been in numerous chemically induced comas and has struggled to recover – yet the family say that hospital staff have been "fantastic" in the care and dedication afforded to their daughter .
On February 27, the hotel, Kempinski Hotels and ADNIC insurance were all found guilty of negligence.
As well as the £35 payout for legal costs, the family were also awarded £36,000 in compensation, although Natalie's parents say medical and flight bills total £170,000, while Mrs Creane has lost £500,000 in earnings.
Her mother, Mrs Smith, 63, 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 on numerous occasions and every single time they have ignored our pleas."
