Case Digest (G.R. No. L-19522)
Facts:
- Batangas Transportation Company is the petitioner; Tomas Perez and the Workmen's Compensation Commission are the respondents.
- Tomas Perez worked as a bus driver from May 31, 1952, to March 2, 1958.
- He operated a bus on a difficult route, working about eight hours daily with additional overtime.
- On January 20, 1957, Perez was involved in a collision with a truck driven by Max Chamorro, resulting in injuries.
- Despite his injuries, Perez continued to work but later experienced severe coughing and sought medical help.
- He was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis on March 2, 1958, and officially confirmed on July 26, 1958.
- Perez was dismissed from his job on October 18, 1958, due to prolonged absence.
- The hearing officer ordered the company to pay Perez P3,303.72 and weekly payments until his illness was treated, not exceeding P4,000.00.
- The Batangas Transportation Company filed a motion for reconsideration, which was elevated to the Workmen's Compensation Commission.
- The Commission upheld the hearing officer's decision on December 6, 1961, leading to the current appeal.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Court affirmed the Commission's finding that Tomas Perez's pulmonary tuberculosis was employment-related.
- The Court upheld the order for Batangas Transportation Company to pay Tomas Perez P4,000.00 in compensation.
- The Court agreed with the Commission's directive for the petitioner to provide medical, surgical, and hospital services to Toma...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court supported the Commission's conclusion that there was a causal link between Tomas Perez's employment and his pulmonary tuberculosis, backed by substantial evidence.
- The Commission noted that Perez's injuries likely weakened his resistance to disease, increasing his susceptibility to tuberculosis.
- The Court emphasized that tuberculosis, being a latent disease, can still be compensable even if diagnosed long after the initial accident.
- The Workmen's Compensation Act aims to provide relief to wo...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-19522)
Facts:
The case involves Batangas Transportation Company as the petitioner and Tomas Perez along with the Workmen's Compensation Commission as respondents. The events leading to the case began when Tomas Perez was employed as a bus driver for Batangas Transportation Company from May 31, 1952, until March 2, 1958. During his employment, he operated a bus on a challenging route between Lobo, Batangas, and Manila, working approximately eight hours a day with an additional two to three hours of overtime. On January 20, 1957, while driving the bus, Perez was involved in an accident when another truck, driven by Max Chamorro, collided with his vehicle, causing damage to the bus and resulting in contusions to Perez's back and abrasions on his left scapular region, forearm, and right hand. Despite these injuries, Perez continued to work. However, shortly after the accident, he began experiencing severe coughing, prompting him to seek medical attention from Dr. Pablo A. Buenafe, the company's physician.
On March 2, 1958, after undergoing an X-ray, Perez was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and subsequently ceased working due to loss of voice and general weakness. He continued to receive treatment at the Quezon Institute Hospital, where he was officially diagnosed with the disease on July 26, 1958. Following his diagnosis, Perez was dismissed from his job on October 18, 1958, due to his prolonged absence. The hearing officer rendered a decision on October 28, 1960, ordering the Batangas Transportation Company to pay Perez compensation amounting to P3,303.72, along with weekly payments until his illness was cured or arrested, not exceeding P4,000.00. The company was also ordered to provide necessary medical services. The Batangas Transportation Company filed a motion for reconsideration, which was elevated to the Workmen's Compensation Commission. The Commission upheld the hearing officer's decision on Decembe...