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Is it permissible for a doctor to deny causing a child's paralysis with a wrong injection in order to avoid paying a huge compensation, and is the alcoholic father of the child entitled to demand this large amount, and does the father's condition affect how the case is handled?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If it is confirmed by specialist diagnosis that the child's paralysis was caused by a physician's error in the injection, then the physician is liable. It is not permissible for the physician to deny the reality or bear false witness to evade responsibility. The compensation shall be from the physician's private funds if its value is less than one-third of the blood money (diyah). If it reaches one-third of the blood money or more, then it shall be from the public treasury (bait al-mal) or the physician's 'aqilah (agnatic kin who pay blood money on his behalf). In the event of paralysis of one hand or one leg, leading to the loss of its function, half of the blood money is due, which is approximately half the value of 4250 grams of gold. Neither the child's father nor anyone else has the right to demand more than the legally prescribed blood money. The child's father's transgression does not negate his right or his child's right, and this money is due to the minor, and the guardian shall manage it in a way that serves the child's best interest.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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