Jerusalem Municipality Blamed Visually Impaired Man for His Fall

An 83-year-old visually impaired man tripped over construction debris in Har Homa, sustaining injuries and undergoing surgeries. The court ordered the Jerusalem Municipality to pay him approximately 350,000 shekels, rejecting the municipality's argument that the victim was at fault.

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered the municipality to pay approximately 350,000 shekels to an 83-year-old visually impaired man who tripped over construction debris in the Har Homa neighborhood in January 2022. The man, a widower and father of nine, was traveling by bus to visit his daughter. The driver asked him to move, and while crossing the road, he tripped over a metal mesh hidden under the pavement tiles. The result was a displaced patellar fracture, two surgeries, an infection, and lengthy rehabilitation. The man can no longer shower standing up or walk to the synagogue. The municipality argued that the victim was at fault because he left the house without his glasses, but Judge Orna Sandler-Eitan rejected this claim: photographs show the man was wearing glasses. The court deemed the obstacle dangerous and placed responsibility on the municipality, emphasizing its duty to ensure sidewalks are accessible for people with disabilities. The sum includes 277,000 shekels in compensation and about 70,000 shekels in legal costs.