From a Small Blow to the Foot to Amputation: How a Medical Case Ended with a Total Compensation of About NIS 4 Million
A diabetic man suffered a foot injury that, due to improper treatment, led to an amputation below the knee. After a medical malpractice lawsuit against the health fund, the Ministry of Health, and the Inbal Fund, a total compensation of about NIS 4 million was awarded, including National Insurance rights. The article highlights the importance of medical follow-up for diabetic patients.
A minor blow to the foot, which began as a slight injury during sleep, ended with an amputation below the knee and a total compensation of about NIS 4 million. A man with long-standing diabetes, who also suffered from significant vascular disease, injured his foot after hitting a wall. He went to his family doctor and emphasized his underlying conditions and the risk of a non-healing wound. Over about four months, he visited the clinic nine times, but according to the lawsuit, the medical records did not include systematic documentation of the wound's condition, no full assessment of its progress was made, no specialist consultation was requested, and the possibility of improving blood supply was not considered. The wound worsened, and when he returned to the clinic, he suffered from weakness, chills, tremors, a large wound, and a foul odor. Only after the intervention of one of the nurses was he referred to the hospital, and the next day he underwent amputation. After surgery, he was hospitalized for over three months in rehabilitation. A medical malpractice lawsuit was filed against the health fund, the Ministry of Health, and the Inbal Fund. After mediation, a settlement agreement was reached that received the force of a judgment, and the total compensation includes the settlement amount and National Insurance rights. Attorney Oren Sodai, who represented the victim, emphasized the importance of prompt treatment of wounds in diabetic patients.