National Insurance Institute reverses decision on disability benefits
A committee initially determined that a 19-year-old woman with 23% disability in her dominant hand "did not lose her earning capacity." However, her lawyer challenged the decision and successfully secured an increase in her benefits. Here are the details of the case.
A legal battle led by attorney Yair Treibish on behalf of a 19-year-old waitress injured on the job has ended in victory, following an initial refusal from the National Insurance Institute.
The incident occurred in August 2025, when the worker slipped while holding a glass bottle. As a result of the accident, the young woman suffered a cut to her dominant right hand and an adjustment disorder. Following the physical and mental injury, a medical disability rating of 23.05% was determined for her.
However, when the case reached a committee hearing to examine the application of "Regulation 15" — which allows for increasing the disability percentage in cases of decreased income or impairment in the ability to return to one's profession — the committee decided not to apply the regulation. The reasoning stated that "medically, she has not lost her capacity to earn as a waitress or in any other job."
Attorney Treibish challenged the determination that a waitress injured in her dominant hand could continue to work as usual. Ultimately, the struggle bore fruit; the decision was overturned, and Regulation 15 was applied, leading to a significant increase in the disability percentage and eligibility for a higher monthly benefit for the rest of the young woman's life.
