Public Negligence Claim — Sidewalks in Ramat Gan

What is Public Negligence on Sidewalks?

Public negligence is a breach of the duty of care that public authorities (municipality, government offices, public companies) owe to the public. When a sidewalk in the city of Ramat Gan is not properly maintained — due to cracks, potholes, sharp slopes, surface damage, or inadequate lighting — and this causes you to fall and sustain bodily injury, this may constitute a public negligence claim.

The Ramat Gan Municipality, like every local authority in Israel, is required to maintain sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition. Negligence in maintenance, inspection, or repair of known defects or defects that should have been known can form the basis for a claim. Each case is examined individually, taking into account the circumstances, nature of the defect, prior warnings, and the causal connection between the defect and your injury.

What Makes a Sidewalk Fall a Public Negligence Claim?

Not every sidewalk fall will constitute a successful claim. To maintain a successful claim, you must prove:

• Existence of a Legal Duty: The public authority (Ramat Gan Municipality) had a legal duty to maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition.
• Breach of Duty: The authority was negligent in maintaining, inspecting, or repairing a known defect or a defect that should have been known.
• Causal Connection: The breach directly caused your fall and injury.
• Actual Damage: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial damages (medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering).

Determining the existence of these elements requires in-depth legal analysis, evidence collection (medical documentation, photographs of the sidewalk, witness testimonies), and analysis of similar cases in case law. Mandelboum, Gor, Witzman-Gor Law Office has reviewed hundreds of such claims since 2008 and is familiar with the approach applied in Israeli courts on this matter.

Types of Sidewalk Defects That May Constitute Negligence

In public negligence claims relating to sidewalks in Ramat Gan and other locations, there are common types of defects that form the basis for a claim:

• Cracks and Deep Holes: When a crack or hole exceeds the accepted height threshold (typically approximately 2 cm and above), it is considered a safety hazard. A fall resulting from such a crack may form the basis for a claim.
• Sharp or Uneven Slopes: A sidewalk that is not level, with sudden slopes or unexpected height changes, may cause falls, especially for elderly persons, individuals with mobility difficulties, or people who did not anticipate such changes.
• Inadequate Lighting: A sidewalk that is not properly illuminated during evening or night hours presents a safety risk. If you fell due to lack of visibility, this may constitute evidence of negligence.
• Unmarked Obstacles: Trash bins, poles, protruding tree roots, or construction materials not removed from the sidewalk may be obstacles that the public authority is required to address or warn about.
• Standing Water or Slipperiness: A wet or dirty sidewalk contaminated with slippery materials may be dangerous, especially if the authority did not address maintenance or cleaning for an extended period.
• Protruding Tree Roots: Public trees whose roots have lifted or damaged the sidewalk constitute the responsibility of the local municipality, which must maintain public gardens.

In any case, the legal discussion focuses on whether the defect was apparent or should have been apparent to the authority, and whether the authority took reasonable steps to prevent damage. If the authority knew or should have known about the defect and failed to repair it, this may constitute a breach of its duty.

How Much Does a Public Negligence Claim Cost?

The cost of the claim depends on the type of settlement: if the claim is resolved through a negotiated settlement, the cost is usually lower than court proceedings. In damage claims, the attorney typically works under a contingency fee agreement — meaning the attorney receives compensation only if the claim is won or a settlement is achieved.

Mandelboim, Gur, and Witzman-Gur Law Firm offers a free initial consultation, so you can understand the prospects and path forward without financial commitment. During this meeting, we can evaluate your claim and offer you the relevant terms.

Typical Compensation Amounts in Public Negligence Claims

The compensation amount in public negligence claims depends on many factors: the severity of the injury (fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injury), the age of the injured party (elderly individuals often suffer more serious complications), loss of income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. In minor claims (light injuries, medical expenses only), compensation may range in the tens of thousands of shekels. In serious claims (fractures, spinal cord injury, long-term complications), compensation may reach tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of shekels. Each case is unique, and the current assessment is based on recent case law and legal valuation tables.

Claimant's Rights in a Public Negligence Claim

As a claimant in a public negligence claim, you have many legal rights:

• Right to compensation for bodily injury: If you prove the causal connection between the negligence and your injury, you are entitled to compensation for all your physical damage — including medical expenses, treatments, medications, medical equipment, loss of income, pain and suffering, and future disability.
• Right to compensation for emotional damages: Under certain circumstances, you may obtain compensation for emotional damages such as depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders resulting from the accident.
• Right to legal representation: You are entitled to be represented by an attorney specializing in such claims. The Mendelboum, Gour, Weitzman-Gour law firm specializes in representing claimants only since 2008, which means we are obligated to protect only your interests.
• Right to request an independent medical evaluation: You may request a medical evaluation of your injury by an independent physician, not only by a physician appointed by the defendant authority.
• Right to file a claim within the statute of limitations period: Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim (in certain cases, this limitation may differ). It is important to act quickly to preserve evidence and recollections.

The Mendelboum, Gour, Weitzman-Gour law firm will ensure that all your rights are protected and fully exercised.

Why Choose Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. for Public Negligence Claims?

Choosing the right attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor Law Firm offers:

• Over 18 Years of Experience: The firm was founded in 2008 by Attorney Karen Mandelbaum and has handled hundreds of public negligence claims, traffic accidents, and workplace injuries. We are familiar with Israeli courts and their established practices.
• Representation of Claimants Only: Unlike many firms that represent both claimants and defendants (public authorities, insurance companies, etc.), we represent claimants exclusively. This grants us complete independence and dedication to protecting your interests.
• Free Initial Consultation: We believe every claimant deserves to consult with an expert attorney at no cost. During this meeting, we can evaluate your claim with no obligation.
• Personal and Dedicated Service: As a family boutique law firm, we treat each claimant as a unique case. You are not a file number — you are a person suffering who needs help.
• Located in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan: Our office is at Donash 1, Ramat Gan, conveniently located. We know the city, the local authorities, and the courts in the area.