Worker Suffers Heart Attack, Recognized as Work Injury After Boss's Terminal Diagnosis

A court in Nof HaGalil has recognized a factory worker's heart attack as a work-related injury, ruling that it stemmed from the stress of learning his employer had a terminal illness. The 59-year-old employee, who had worked at a factory near Beit She'an for 32 years, experienced severe work-related stress starting in February 2024 when his employer fell ill. This led to increased workload, overtime, and performing tasks beyond his job description.

The situation escalated in early March when the worker arrived at the factory to find he was the only employee present, forcing him to take on additional responsibilities. Later that day, he received a phone call informing him that his employer's illness was terminal. He became distressed, left work, and experienced a heart attack approximately three hours later. He was hospitalized and later filed a claim.

Medical experts appointed by the court established a causal link between the stressful work events and the heart attack, as well as the subsequent development of an adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood. A cardiologist based the conclusion on the proximity in time between the phone call and the heart attack, noting the absence of prior cardiac symptoms. The National Insurance Institute contested this, arguing that the experts did not adequately consider the worker's pre-existing mental stress and long history of heavy smoking.

However, Judge Me'irav Nir Shilo upheld the experts' findings. She stated that the cardiologist had considered all data, including the smoking, and concluded that the unusual phone call was causally linked to the heart attack due to the short time elapsed and lack of prior symptoms. The judge also affirmed the psychiatric evaluation, which found no prior mental health issues that could explain the post-event symptoms, concluding that the heart attack likely triggered the mental health disorder.