General Disability Guide in National Insurance

What is General Disability in National Insurance?

General disability in National Insurance is a condition in which a person suffers from impairment of physical or mental function, as a result of a work accident, traffic accident, occupational disease, or other circumstances covered by the National Insurance Law. The disability affects the insured person's ability to continue their regular work or similar work, and in severe cases—affects their general work capacity in the labor market.

Unlike partial or attributable disability, general disability refers to broad impairment of the body's and mind's overall functioning. This is a complex legal and medical assessment, conducted by a medical committee of the National Insurance, with the participation of a specialist physician and an examining officer.

The Process of Determining General Disability

The process of determining general disability is divided into clear stages: filing an initial claim with the National Insurance institution, initial medical examination, convening a medical committee, rendering a decision, and the possibility of appeal if the injured party or the institution disagrees with the decision. Each stage requires careful preparation, up-to-date medical documents, and detailed documentation of the impact on the injured person's life.

The Mendelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. law firm guides injured parties through this process from start to finish, including filing an appeal if necessary. Our experience since 2008 in representing claimants exclusively in the field of tort and national insurance law ensures a deep understanding of your rights and how to present them most effectively before the medical committee.

General Disability Percentages — How Are They Calculated?

General disability percentages are determined by a medical committee in accordance with the National Insurance disability table and taking into account the unique circumstances of each case. The table includes a variety of medical conditions—spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, limb loss, mental illnesses, and inability to work—and each has a standard percentage range.

However, the table is only an initial tool. The medical committee also examines personal factors: the insured person's age, education, prior work experience, ability to adapt to other work, and the impact of the disability on quality of life. In certain circumstances, the final disability percentage may be higher or lower than the standard range in the table, depending on the medical and legal discretion of the committee.

Common Percentage Ranges

• Mild disability (1–10%): Slight impairment of function, work capacity nearly intact, adaptation to similar work possible.
• Moderate disability (11–50%): Significant impairment of function, work limitations, need for accommodations or lower-demand work.
• Severe disability (51–100%): Serious impairment of function, inability or minimal ability to work, need for assistance in daily living.

It is important to emphasize that each case is examined individually, and the impact of the disability on the insured person's life—even outside of work—plays a significant role in determining the final percentage. Strong medical evidence, psychological reports, employer statements, and testimony from close relatives can substantially influence the decision.

Rights of the Insured in a General Disability Claim

When general disability is recognized, the insured person is entitled to a monthly pension from the National Insurance. The pension is calculated based on basic salary (according to years of insurance and reported income) and the percentage of recognized disability. In addition to the pension, the insured person may be entitled to supplements such as a supplement for those unable to work, a supplement for dependent children, or assistance with health insurance payment.

Another important right is the right to appeal the medical committee's decision if the insured person or the institution disagrees with the established percentage. This appeal is submitted to a different appeals committee, composed of different physicians, and new evidence, updated medical reports, or legal arguments demonstrating higher medical accuracy can be presented. Professionals with legal experience in this field, such as Mendelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. law firm, know how to present persuasive arguments before the appeals committee and improve the chances of success.

Insurance Period and Pension Calculation

The general disability pension is calculated based on your insurance period—how many years you were insured by the National Insurance. The longer your insurance period, the higher your pension may be. The institution calculates the average income from basic salary in the defined period and applies the disability percentage to it. For example, if a disability of 50% is determined and the average income is 5,000 shekels, the monthly pension would be approximately 2,500 shekels (roughly), plus adjustments and other deductions in accordance with the law.

It is important to monitor the pension calculation precisely and ensure that the institution used correct data. If there is an error in the calculation or insurance data, a claim for correction can be filed. Our office helps injured parties verify the accuracy of the calculation and obtain a fair pension.

Comparison of Scenarios — General Disability in Different Accidents

The table above presents typical ranges only. Each case is reviewed separately by the medical committee, and the final disability percentage may vary depending on personal circumstances, current medical condition, and socioeconomic factors.

Strong Arguments in a General Disability Claim

In order to achieve a high and fair disability percentage, it is important to present strong arguments to the medical committee. These arguments are based on solid medical evidence, live testimony, and legal analysis of your rights.

Reliable Medical Evidence

Medical reports from specialist doctors, accurate test results (CT, MRI, neurological examinations), and documentation of treatments you have undergone — all of these serve as the basis for your argument. Specialists in the relevant field (orthopedist, neurologist, clinical psychologist) can write an expert report that details your medical condition and its impact on your work capacity.

Documentation of Impact on Daily Life

If the disability affects your ability to walk, stand, lift objects, drive, or perform daily tasks, detailed documentation of these effects is very important. A diary or list of daily difficulties, photographs or videos (if appropriate) of the limitations, and statements from family members or close friends — all of these can strengthen your argument.

Evidence from Employers and Workplace

If the disability prevented you from continuing your previous job, statements from your employer, reports on rejected accommodation requests, or documentation of leaving work due to disability — all of these strengthen the argument. Additionally, if you attempted to work in a different job and failed due to the disability, this is also important to present.

Psychological and Cognitive Reports

If the disability includes a psychological or cognitive component (depression, anxiety, memory issues, difficulty concentrating), a report from a clinical psychologist or recognized mental health therapist can prove the existence of the problem and its impact on work capacity.

Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. helps injured parties collect all of this evidence, organize it in a clear and persuasive manner, and present it to the medical committee in order to achieve the highest and most fair disability percentage.

Why Choose Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. for General Disability Claims?

Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. specializes in representing claimants exclusively in the field of tort and national insurance law since 2008. With over 18 years of experience, we have handled hundreds of claims for victims of traffic and work accidents seeking compensation and benefits under the National Insurance scheme. Our experience ensures that we know exactly how to present your case before the medical committee, which evidence is most persuasive, and how to achieve the highest and most justified disability percentage.

Every case is handled personally and dedicatedly. We are not attorneys with an enormous number of clients — we are a boutique family firm that emphasizes personal attention, careful listening, and strategic planning for each claim. Our initial free consultation meeting gives you the opportunity to discuss your claim in detail, understand your rights, and hear our recommendations for next steps.

We are located in Ramat Gan and Petach Tikva, making it easy for you to attend a meeting. With our firm, you receive representation from experienced attorneys, assistance in document preparation, preparation for medical examination, representation before the committee, and ongoing legal advice throughout the entire process.