300,000 Shekels: Compensation for Employee of Furniture Giant
A maintenance worker attempted to retrieve a product stuck in a machine when a colleague activated it without warning. The incident resulted in the partial amputation of his finger. The Haifa Magistrate's Court rejected the company's claim of sole liability on the part of the employee, ruling that the lack of coordination is the employer's responsibility.
The incident occurred in January 2022. The plaintiff, now 35, had worked at the company for approximately ten years. During his shift, he inserted his hand into a machine to retrieve a product that had become stuck. At that moment, another employee turned on the machine without establishing eye contact or coordinating with his colleague. As a result of the impact, the ring finger on the plaintiff's right hand was crushed and partially amputated.
The employee underwent medical treatment, physiotherapy, and psychological therapy. The National Insurance Institute recognized the incident as a work-related accident and determined his disability status.
In a lawsuit filed at the Haifa Magistrate's Court, the employee sought compensation for permanent disability. Representatives of "Keter" argued that the plaintiff was a veteran professional who had undergone safety training shortly before the incident and was fully aware of the risks. According to the company, the responsibility for the accident lay entirely with the employee, and it should therefore be exempt from payment.
Judge Majda Jubran-Marcus rejected the company's position. The verdict determined that the primary responsibility for the accident lies with the employer:
"The conduct at the time of the accident, when the other employee turned on the machine, indicates a lack of sufficient coordination. Supervision of coordination between employees and the implementation of a safe work method are the responsibility of the employer."
Additionally, the court noted that the plaintiff bears 15% contributory negligence, as he was an experienced employee who knew that working with an active machine involves risks. While court experts determined a medical disability for the plaintiff, the judge assessed the impairment to his earning capacity at only 8%, concluding that the mental disability has no significant functional impact.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the court ruled that "Keter" must pay the plaintiff, represented by attorney Amer Ghanam, 245,000 shekels for loss of wages, assistance, and other damages. Furthermore, the company, represented by attorney Erez Bloch, is required to pay 50,000 shekels in legal fees and court expenses.
