Couple Sues Hillel Yaffe Hospital for 2.5 Million Shekels Over C-Section Malpractice
A northern Israeli couple sued the Ministry of Health for 2.5 million shekels over an undiagnosed cervical injury during a 2019 C-section at Hillel Yaffe, allegedly causing three subsequent pregnancy losses and PTSD.
A couple from northern Israel has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit at the Tel Aviv District Court against the Ministry of Health, which operates the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. They claim that an injury sustained by the woman during a cesarean section at the hospital led to the tragic loss of three subsequent pregnancies.
Medical Malpractice Claims
According to attorneys Wasim Omar and Yair Nechmias, who represent the plaintiff, a structural injury occurred in the patient's cervix during a C-section procedure performed in 2019, but it went undiagnosed at the time. In 2022, she became pregnant again. During this pregnancy, doctors detected a significant shortening of the cervix, and the pregnancy ultimately ended in the loss of the fetus.
A year later, in 2023, she conceived once more. Due to her obstetric history, a cervical cerclage was performed in an attempt to prevent another loss, but this pregnancy also ended in tragedy. Furthermore, another pregnancy in 2024 ended in a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure after an ultrasound revealed a fetus without a heartbeat.
According to the statement of claim, the woman subsequently underwent a hysterosalpingography test, which reportedly revealed two deep tears in the cervix. Her legal counsel argues that these findings support the claim that the original injury stemmed from the 2019 C-section and that a direct causal link exists between the surgical error and the subsequent pregnancy losses.
Psychological Impact and Demands
The lawsuit also details significant psychological trauma resulting from the ordeal. Citing a document from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) included in the filing, the plaintiff was assigned a temporary 30-percent disability rating for post-traumatic stress disorder in June 2026, based on an expert medical opinion by psychiatrist Dr. Hassan Byadsi.
The couple is currently seeking over 2.5 million shekels in compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, future loss of earnings, third-party assistance, and the violation of their autonomy. The lawsuit is in its preliminary stages, and the court has yet to rule on the merits or the question of legal liability.
Attorney Wasim Omar stated: "A severe injustice has been done to the mother. Time and again she lost her children and was forced to cope with pain and grief that left deep scars. We maintain that a chain of failures beginning with her first delivery continued through subsequent pregnancies, as vital medical information was withheld and opportunities for preventive care were missed."
In response, the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center issued a statement: "Due to medical confidentiality regulations, the medical center is unable to respond to the specifics of the case in a substantive and professional manner. The hospital will respond accordingly and as customary in the legal forums. We wish complete health to the woman and her family."
