Israeli Worker Recognized for Work Accident After Being Trapped Alone in Elevator for Over an Hour

In March 2024, an experienced employee was trapped alone in an elevator for an hour and fifteen minutes at her workplace during early morning hours. After entering the elevator and it suddenly stopped, she experienced severe anxiety, including her first-ever panic attack, fearing she would run out of air and feeling isolated and helpless. She managed to contact the building’s security officer, who coordinated with the elevator company, and she was eventually rescued by firefighters.

Following the incident, the woman left work early due to her anxiety symptoms, which persisted and included stress, claustrophobia, and difficulty functioning daily. She now avoids elevators and is receiving psychiatric treatment. Represented by attorney Lidor Zwartz from Markman Tomshin & Co., she filed a claim with the National Insurance Institute, which recently recognized her condition as a work-related accident due to the causal link between the elevator incident and her anxiety.

The National Insurance Institute confirmed the recognition of anxiety as an injury resulting from the accident, entitling her to treatment and legal benefits. Attorney Zwartz emphasized the event as a clear stress trigger that can lead to mental health issues and noted the woman will undergo a medical committee evaluation to determine her disability percentage, potentially qualifying her for lifelong monthly compensation.