Medical Committee Procedure in Ramat Gan — Complete Legal Guide

What is a Medical Committee and Why is it Critical in Tort Claims?

A medical committee is an official body, typically composed of three doctors specializing in relevant fields, designed to assess the medical condition of an accident victim or a person injured in a work accident. The committee analyzes medical damages, rates disability percentages, determines the degree of impairment to work capacity, and more. In tort claims involving bodily injuries, the medical committee's opinion is almost always the cornerstone of the claim — because without it, it is difficult to prove the extent of damages and obtain fair compensation.

In Israel, the medical committee process follows a clearly defined procedure, yet many accident victims are unaware of their rights, how to prepare for it, or the costs involved. Our firm, Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Partners, with over 18 years of experience representing tort claimants in Ramat Gan and central Israel, assists victims in understanding and successfully navigating this process.

Who Can Request a Medical Committee?

Any person injured in an accident (traffic accident, work accident, public or private negligence) and suffering bodily injuries can request the establishment of a medical committee. The request can be submitted by the injured party themselves, by their family, or typically through an attorney representing them in the claim. In National Insurance claims, the committee is typically established by the insurance institution itself, but the injured party has the right to send their own representative — a physician or attorney — to the committee hearing.

What are the Stages of the Medical Committee Procedure?

The medical committee process proceeds through defined stages:

• Filing a Request and Documentation: A formal request must be submitted (through an attorney or directly) accompanied by all medical records, X-ray copies, examination reports, medications, and complete medical documentation of treatment to date.
• Selection of Committee Members: Typically, the parties (National Insurance, insurance company, injured party, or their attorney) agree on specialist physicians or they are drawn from a verified list of doctors. Each party can object to a particular physician.
• Preparation for the Hearing: This is a critical stage — a strong legal-medical file must be prepared, an independent physician's report obtained (if possible and while protecting medical confidentiality), and questions and content prepared for presentation at the hearing.
• Committee Hearing: The injured party (or their representative) meets with the three physicians, undergoes a physical examination, answers questions, and describes symptoms. The hearing typically lasts 30–90 minutes.
• Issuance of Committee Report: Following the hearing, the committee analyzes the findings and issues a detailed report containing: a description of the injury, disability percentages, assessment of impact on work capacity, and documentation of all conclusions.
• Appeal or Acceptance: If the injured party is satisfied with the report, they can use it in their claim. If not — there is an option to appeal to an appeals committee (a second committee).

Optimal Preparation for a Medical Committee — Steps You Cannot Ignore

Good preparation is the foundation for success at a medical committee hearing. Many injured parties arrive insufficiently prepared, which damages their presentation of damages and reduces the chances of their claims being accepted.

1. Assemble a Complete Medical File

Before the hearing, collect all medical records: initial hospital examinations, specialist reports, test results (MRI, CT, X-ray), medication lists, physiotherapy treatment reports, surgical procedures (if performed), and documentation of every examination. A complete file provides a clear picture of the treatment and progress (or lack thereof).

2. Obtain an Independent Medical Report

Often, it is advisable to consult with an independent medical specialist (not your treating physician) who will conduct an additional examination and issue their own report. This report can strengthen your position at the committee hearing, especially if there is conflicting medical opinion or if your treating physician has not documented sufficiently. Such a report involves a cost (typically hundreds of shekels to several thousand), but it can significantly impact the outcome.

3. Prepare a List of Questions and Document Symptoms

Before the hearing, write a list of questions you wish to present to the committee. For example: "How does the injury affect my ability to work?" "Are there chances for full recovery?" "What are the main symptoms you experience on a daily basis?" Additionally, document your symptoms precisely, pain levels, movement difficulties, impact on sleep, work, and daily life. This documentation will help you present your condition clearly at the hearing.

4. Bring Witnesses or Documentation of Social-Economic Impact

If you have witnesses (family members, friends, colleagues) who can testify to the impact of the injury on your life, this can be important. Additionally, documentation of loss of income, days of work incapacity, or need for household help can strengthen your claim.

5. Use Legal Representation

An attorney experienced in personal injury claims can be present at the committee hearing, ask legal questions, present evidence, and protect your rights. Our firm, Mendelbaum, Gur, Witzman-Gur and Co. in Ramat Gan, provides expert representation at this stage and throughout the claim process.

Comparison: Initial Committee vs. Appeals Committee — When Should You Appeal?

The initial committee report is not always final. Under Israeli tort law, an injured party has the right to file an appeal to an appeals committee if they believe the initial report was unfair or that all relevant factors were not properly considered.

When Should You File an Appeal?

You should file an appeal if:

• The initial report assesses disability percentages that are too low compared to the actual severity of the injury.
• New symptoms or tests performed after the initial hearing were not taken into account.
• There is a conflicting medical opinion (for example, a report from an independent physician).
• The committee did not hear sufficiently from the injured party themselves or did not conduct a thorough examination.

An appeal is not guaranteed to produce a better outcome, but in certain circumstances it is significant for protecting your rights. An experienced attorney can help you decide whether filing an appeal is worthwhile.

Medical Committee Costs — What You Need to Know

One of the most common questions injured parties ask is: "How much does a medical committee cost?" The answer depends on certain factors.

Who Pays for the Committee?

In National Insurance claims, typically the National Insurance Institute itself covers the cost of the committee as part of the formal procedure. In claims against private insurance companies or other parties, the claimant (or their attorney) may need to finance the committee at an early stage; however, this cost is often recovered as part of the final compensation.

Typical Cost Range

The cost of a medical committee in Israel typically ranges from 1,500–4,000 shekels (depending on the number of physicians, case complexity, and area of specialization). An appeals committee may be more expensive. Additionally, if you engage an attorney's services, you should budget for additional legal costs (typically under a contingency fee agreement — meaning you pay only if compensation is awarded).

Ancillary Costs

Beyond the committee cost itself, there may be additional expenses:

• Independent physician report (typically 500–2,000 shekels).
• Accommodation or travel expenses for the committee hearing day.
• Legal costs (consultation, preparation, representation at the hearing).

An experienced attorney can help you plan your budget and understand what costs to expect at each stage.