National Insurance Committees Issue Conflicting Disability Rulings for Chronic Headaches

A legal dispute has arisen over contradictory disability assessments by the National Insurance Institute (NII) concerning a Tel Al-Sabe resident who suffered a severe head injury in a work-related tractor accident two years ago. The individual, a cleaner for Beersheba Municipality, was driving a tractor when a vehicle struck him, causing him to be thrown and sustain significant injuries.

Following the accident, the man was hospitalized with head and facial injuries and subsequently experienced persistent headaches. His claim for the incident to be recognized as a work accident was approved by the NII. In July 2025, a medical committee determined a 0% disability rating for his headaches, attributing only 5% disability for a facial scar, which did not qualify him for benefits. His lawyer, Michaela Demertz, argued that the decision was unreasonable given his ongoing pain, neurological treatment, and inability to return to work.

In parallel, the man applied for general disability benefits. In July 2026, a different NII medical committee in Beersheba reviewed his case, considering his chronic headaches alongside pre-existing disabilities related to diabetes and psychological issues, for which the NII had previously recognized a combined 50% disability.

This second committee, however, ruled that his chronic headaches constituted a 15% permanent disability, based on medical examinations and ongoing treatment. This created a stark contradiction, with one NII committee assigning no disability for the headaches and another granting 15% for the same condition.

As a result of the 15% disability ruling, the man was approved for general disability benefits, including a retroactive payment of 48,332 shekels. The NII has reportedly postponed the full payment to assess its impact on other benefits he receives.