Volunteer Injured Near Mental Health Hostel Awarded $230,000 in Damages

A Jerusalem court has ordered an organization and apartment owners to pay approximately 824,000 shekels (about $230,000) in damages to a volunteer who was injured after tripping on a hazard near a hostel for individuals with mental health challenges. The 30-year-old woman, who was volunteering with the "Marpe La'Nefesh" association while pursuing her doctorate, fell in December 2019 on an access path to the building.

The court found the "Marpe La'Nefesh" association 75% responsible for the incident, while owners of apartments in the building were assigned 25% liability. The volunteer suffered injuries including a 10% disability due to ankle mobility issues and a similar disability from a surgical scar, requiring two surgeries, one for a severe infection.

The court determined that the association and the apartment owners were negligent in maintaining the path and failing to remove the hazard, described as a "pothole or height difference." The volunteer herself was assigned 20% contributory negligence, as she was familiar with the area and admitted to not always looking where she was walking.

Her damages were calculated based on her academic achievements, using the average salary of a university lecturer, totaling 679,465 shekels after the deduction for her contributory negligence. The "Marpe La'Nefesh" association was also ordered to pay 144,656 shekels in legal costs and attorney fees.