Tel Aviv Contractor Ordered to Pay 230,000 Shekels to Injured Security Guard
The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court recently ruled that construction company Dania Sibbus and its insurer Menora must pay approximately 230,000 shekels plus expenses to a security guard injured at the Gindi TLV project. The guard, a 69-year-old Russian immigrant who began working at the site in 2017, suffered a fractured left femur in July 2019 after tripping over construction debris in an unlit underground parking level. He was hospitalized at Ichilov Hospital, underwent surgery, and spent over two months in rehabilitation before being discharged with recommendations for ongoing therapy.
The guard claimed Dania Sibbus was negligent for failing to remove the hazardous debris, which caused his fall and subsequent disability. He argued that the injury prevented him from working for years, only returning part-time in April 2024 with a minimal salary under 1,000 shekels per month. Dania Sibbus countered that the guard was partly responsible, alleging he walked backward without checking his path and that construction sites inherently contain debris requiring caution.
Judge Amir Chechnovitz assigned primary liability to Dania Sibbus as the main contractor, emphasizing their duty to ensure worker safety by removing hazards. The court noted the absence of a protocol to clear debris at the end of each workday, constituting a breach of duty. However, the judge attributed 10% contributory negligence to the guard due to his familiarity with the site and failure to exercise sufficient caution. The court also partially rejected the guard’s claim of total work incapacity, accepting expert testimony that his disability was about 65% and that his return to work, albeit limited and low-paid, undermined claims of permanent total disability.
Dania Sibbus and Menora were ordered to pay 186,266 shekels for damages including lost wages and pain and suffering, plus approximately 44,000 shekels in legal fees, court costs, and expert witness expenses. This compensation is in addition to over one million shekels the guard is entitled to from National Insurance. The case highlights the legal responsibilities of contractors to maintain safe working environments and the complexities of assessing work-related injuries and compensation.
