Eye Injury at Work in Petach Tikva

Workplace Eye Injury — What You Need to Know

Eye injury at work is one of the most serious damages an employee can experience. Eyes are central to our daily lives, and any injury to them — whether it is a minor scratch, chemical burn, corneal injury, or partial or complete loss of vision — can significantly impact the quality of life, work capacity, and sense of security of the injured party.

In Petach Tikva, as throughout the country, workplace accidents involving eye injuries occur across various industries and work environments: in the construction industry (sparks, particles, chemicals), in chemical industries, in technology companies, in hospitals and clinics, in shops and supermarkets, and more. Each case is unique, and every injured party is entitled to professional legal representation and protection of their full rights.

Why Professional Legal Representation is Important Immediately

Following a workplace accident with eye injury, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. The injured party is entitled to compensation from the employer, from company insurance, and from national insurance. However, legal claims require precise medical documentation, evidence of negligence, and navigation of complex laws. The Mandelbaum, Gor, and Witzman-Gor & Co. law firm represents injured parties exclusively in tort law, and we have over 18 years of experience handling workplace accident claims, including cases of eye injury.

Types of Eye Injuries at Work and Their Consequences

Eye injuries in the workplace can be diverse and vary in severity. Understanding the type of injury and its severity is essential for determining the appropriate compensation amount and necessary medical treatment.

Unilateral Versus Bilateral Injuries

Injury to only one eye requires a different legal assessment than injury to both eyes. When an injured party loses vision in one eye, they can still rely on the other eye; however, work capacity and enjoyment of life are significantly affected. Injury to both eyes, or complete loss of vision, can completely change the injured party's life trajectory and requires substantially greater compensation.

Common Types of Eye Injuries at Work

• Mechanical injuries: Corneal abrasion, fracture of bones around the eye, eye muscle injury. This type is common in the construction industry, work with sharp tools, or metal processing.
• Chemical burns: Exposure to hazardous chemicals, acids, or bases. Common in chemical and cosmetics industries.
• Thermal injuries: Exposure to extreme heat, flames, or radiation. Common in steel, welding, and glass industries.
• Radiation injuries: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) radiation without appropriate protection. Common in welding work and radiation treatment.
• Foreign body injuries: Entry of foreign objects into the eye, small particles, or dust. Common in construction, grinding, and fiber material handling industries.
• Pressure injuries: Injury from high pressure of liquids or gases in hydraulic or pneumatic work.

Medical and Social Consequences

Eye injury can lead to long-term complications: inflammation, infection, cataracts, glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure), or loss of vision. Each of these requires ongoing medical treatment, medications, surgeries, or rehabilitation. Additionally, loss of vision or reduced vision affects work capacity, ability to drive, and performance of daily tasks. The injured party may require personal assistance, transportation services, or even relocation.

Legal Rights of an Eye Injury Victim in a Work Accident

In Israel, an employee injured in a work accident is entitled to compensation from several sources: from National Insurance, from employer's liability insurance (if applicable), and from a civil lawsuit against the employer or other third party responsible for the injury.

National Insurance and Work Accident Benefits

Every employee in Israel is covered by National Insurance. When an employee is injured in a work accident, they are entitled to benefit payments from the National Insurance. The amount of the benefit depends on the degree of disability determined by a medical committee of the National Insurance. This committee examines the extent of the impact on the victim's work capacity and assigns a disability percentage accordingly. A higher percentage means higher benefits, and also entitlement to additional payments such as rehabilitation assistance and return-to-work programs.

Civil Lawsuit Against the Employer

In addition to National Insurance, a work accident victim is entitled to file a civil lawsuit against their employer if it can be proven that the employer failed to fulfill their duty to maintain employee safety. This may include: failure to provide protective equipment (safety glasses, mask, helmet), failure to provide safety training or instruction, failure to maintain tools or machinery, or failure to comply with safety regulations. The claim can be substantially higher than National Insurance benefits, as it may include compensation for suffering, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, and even punitive damages in certain cases.

Employer's Liability Insurance and Third-Party Liability Insurance

If the employer has employer's liability insurance, the insurance may cover part or all of the claim. Additionally, if an accident results from the action of a third party (for example, a manufacturer of defective equipment, a subcontractor who performed unsafe work), a lawsuit can be filed against that third party and their insurance.

Compensation for Suffering, Emotional Damages, and Loss of Quality of Life

Eye injury is among the most severe injuries in terms of quality of life. In a legal claim, a victim is entitled to compensation for physical and emotional suffering, for loss of earning capacity, for medical expenses (including surgeries, medications, and treatments), for loss of income (if unable to return to work at the same capacity), and for loss of enjoyment of life. In serious accidents, compensation amounts can be substantially high, particularly when there is total or significant partial loss of vision.

Claim Process: Steps and Examples

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Case Development

When you first contact us, we listen to the details of your accident, review initial medical documentation, and determine the appropriate legal course of action. At this stage, we ask the injured party to collect all relevant documents: accident report from the employer, photographs of the workplace, witness statements, and medical reports.

Step 2: National Insurance

We assist in filing a claim with National Insurance and preparing all required documents. After National Insurance accepts the claim, it refers the injured party for medical examination by a medical committee. We represent the injured party before the committee, present medical evidence, and seek to obtain the highest possible disability percentage. If the committee determines a disability percentage that is too low, we may file an appeal.

Step 3: Civil Claim Against the Employer

Concurrently or thereafter, we build a strong legal case against the employer. This involves proving negligence: that the employer failed to provide appropriate protective equipment, did not instruct the employee on safety, or violated safety regulations. We gather evidence (witnesses, safety experts, photographs), and we negotiate with the employer's business insurance or file a claim in court.

Step 4: Negotiation and Settlement

In the majority of cases, negotiation with the insurance company or employer leads to a settlement. We negotiate on your behalf to achieve the highest possible amount, taking into account the severity of the injury, medical costs, and lost income.

Step 5: Court, If Necessary

If a settlement cannot be reached, we file a claim in court and conduct a full trial. In some cases, the court may award higher compensation than the proposed settlement, particularly in serious accidents.

Practical Example

Example: A construction worker in Petah Tikva suffered an eye injury when a welding spark hit him. He was not provided with appropriate safety glasses, and the employer did not instruct him on safety. The worker suffered corneal scratching and vision loss. We filed a claim with National Insurance, which determined a disability percentage of 15%. Subsequently, we filed a civil claim against the employer, proving negligence. The employer's business insurance agreed to a settlement of 250,000 NIS (in addition to National Insurance payments). The compensation included: medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and rehabilitation assistance.

Typical Compensation Amounts and Costs

The compensation amount in a work accident involving eye injury depends on many factors: severity of damage, age of the injured party, salary, disability percentage determined by a medical committee, and the existence of negligence by the employer or third party. Below are typical ranges, but each case is unique:

Compensation Components

• Compensation for physical and emotional suffering: Any bodily harm and psychological suffering experienced
• Medical expenses: Surgeries, treatments, medications, special eyeglasses, and assistive equipment
• Loss of income: Days not worked, or reduced income if returning to work at a lower salary
• Future loss of earning capacity: If unable to return to the same position, or if vocational capacity has diminished
• Rehabilitation and return-to-work assistance: Guidance, training, or assistance in finding new employment
• Punitive compensation (in certain cases): If employer negligence was severe or intentional

Legal Costs

Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. represents injured parties in tort law on a contingency fee basis only. This means you do not pay us until we obtain compensation for you. The fee varies depending on the type of case and its complexity, but we are completely transparent about this from the outset. We also handle legal expenses (medical examination fees, court fees, etc.), so you don't need to spend money out of pocket.

Why Choose Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co.?

Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. is a boutique family law firm specializing in tort law, real estate law, and commercial-civil law. Founded in 2008 by attorney Karen Mandelbaum, we have since represented victims of traffic accidents, work accidents, public negligence, and social security claims. In the field of tort law, we represent claimants only — this means our client is always the injured party, never the employer or insurance company. This ensures we have no conflict of interest, and our sole concern is protecting your rights.

Our Firm's Values

• Representation of claimants only: We represent only tort victims, not employers or insurance companies. This ensures our focus is 100% on your benefit.
• Deep experience since 2008: Over 18 years of experience handling tort claims, including serious work accidents involving eye injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fatal injuries.
• Personal and dedicated service: We treat every client like family. You are not a file number — you are a person who has suffered, and you deserve dedicated and professional representation.
• Contingency fees only: We represent victims on a contingency fee basis only. You pay nothing until we recover compensation for you. Additionally, we cover legal expenses, so you don't need to spend money out of pocket.
• Free initial consultation: We offer a free legal consultation at no cost. During the meeting, we evaluate your claim and explain your options.
• Located in Petach Tikva and Ramat Gan: Our offices in Petach Tikva (Juni Netanyahu 8) and the southern part of Ramat Gan (Donesh 1) allow us to serve clients from central Israel conveniently.

Our Commitment to You

When you choose Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co., you choose a partner who will stand by your side every step of the way. We are committed to full documentation, clear communication, and swift action. We negotiate as a priority for your benefit, and we do not compromise on your rights. If the proposed settlement is not fair, we take the case to court. This may take longer, but the compensation amount could be significantly higher.