Medical Malpractice Claims in Saudi Arabia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
If a healthcare provider's negligence causes you harm, Saudi Arabia has a specialised malpractice system — distinct from regular courts — that blends Sharia compensation principles with modern medical review:
- Malpractice definition: A medical error that falls below the accepted standard of care and results in injury, disability, or death.
- Sharia Medical Committees: Malpractice cases are reviewed by specialised committees within the Ministry of Health — staffed by both medical experts and Sharia scholars — that determine whether negligence occurred.
- Compensation (diyya): If malpractice is proven, compensation follows Sharia diyya principles. For death, the full diyya is SAR 300,000. For injuries, compensation is proportional — a hand, an eye, or organ damage each has specific diyya fractions.
- Criminal penalties: Grossly negligent practitioners face up to 6 months in prison and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, plus licence suspension or revocation.
- Mandatory malpractice insurance: All licensed medical practitioners must carry malpractice insurance, ensuring the patient can collect compensation.
When does it apply?
- You were harmed by a medical procedure due to a doctor's or hospital's negligence.
- A family member died or was permanently injured due to medical error.
- You want to file a malpractice complaint against a healthcare provider.
What to Do If You Believe a Saudi Doctor or Hospital Caused Harm Through Negligence
- Gather all medical records — request your complete file through the hospital's records department or via NPHIES-connected systems.
- File a complaint with the Ministry of Health by calling 937 — the case will be referred to a Sharia Medical Committee for investigation.
- Consult a Saudi lawyer experienced in medical malpractice — the diyya calculation system has specific rules that require expertise to maximise your claim.
- Get an independent medical opinion documenting the standard of care and how it was breached — this is critical evidence before the committee.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not delay filing — malpractice claims should be filed promptly while medical records and witness testimony are available.
- Do not accept a settlement without legal advice — the diyya system has fixed compensation scales, and you may be entitled to more than what the hospital or insurer initially offers.
- Do not assume all bad outcomes are malpractice — the committee must find that the provider deviated from the accepted standard of care, not merely that the result was poor.
Common Questions
When does it apply — medical malpractice claims?
You were harmed by a medical procedure due to a doctor's or hospital's negligence.A family member died or was permanently injured due to medical error.You want to file a malpractice complaint against a healthcare provider.
What should I do if I was harmed by a doctor's negligence in Saudi Arabia and want to file a malpractice claim?
Gather all medical records — request your complete file through the hospital's records department or via NPHIES-connected systems.File a complaint with the Ministry of Health by calling 937 — the case will be referred to a Sharia Medical Committee for investigation.Consult a Saudi lawyer experienced in medical malpractice — the diyya calculation system has specific rules that require expertise to maximise your claim.Get an independent medical opinion documenting the standard of care and how it was breached — this is critical evidence before the committee.
What should you NOT do — medical malpractice claims?
Do not delay filing — malpractice claims should be filed promptly while medical records and witness testimony are available.Do not accept a settlement without legal advice — the diyya system has fixed compensation scales, and you may be entitled to more than what the hospital or insurer initially offers.Do not assume all bad outcomes are malpractice — the committee must find that the provider deviated from the accepted standard of care, not merely that the result was poor.