Case Digest (G.R. No. 142049)
Facts:
- Froilan S. de Lara was employed as a radio officer by German Marine Agencies, Inc. and Lubeca Marine Management HK Ltd. on October 17, 1994.
- In June 1995, while in New Zealand, de Lara fell ill, prompting his crewmates to inform the ship's master.
- The master opted to continue the voyage to Manila instead of disembarking de Lara for medical care, worsening his condition over ten days.
- Upon arrival in Manila, de Lara waited several hours for a docking slot before being admitted to Manila Doctors Hospital from June 24 to July 26, 1995.
- After discharge, de Lara sought payment for disability benefits and unpaid sickness wages as per the Standard Employment Contract.
- Despite initial payment, further compensation was not received, leading de Lara to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
- On July 31, 1997, the labor arbiter ruled in favor of de Lara, awarding him $25,000 in disability benefits and $1,137 in sickness wage balance.
- The NLRC affirmed this decision on July 29, 1998, and the Court of Appeals upheld it, awarding additional exemplary damages of P50,000.
- The petitioners' motion for reconsideration was denied, resulting in the current appeal.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the NLRC's decision, confirming the petitioners' liability for de Lara's disability benefits.
- The Court upheld the NLRC's findings regarding the sickness wage balance, affirming de Lara's entitlement to the claimed amount.
- The Court validated the awards...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court highlighted that under the Standard Employment Contract, employers are liable for a seaman's disability benefits if the injury or illness occurs during employment.
- The petitioners' negligence in failing to provide immediate medical attention contributed to de Lara's health deterioration and subsequent disability.
- The medical certificate from Dr. Nanette Domingo-Reyes, classifying ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 142049)
Facts:
On October 17, 1994, Froilan S. de Lara (private respondent) was employed by German Marine Agencies, Inc. and Lubeca Marine Management HK Ltd. (petitioners) as a radio officer aboard the vessel M/V T.A. Voyager. In June 1995, while docked in New Zealand, de Lara fell ill, and his crewmates alerted the ship's master about his deteriorating health. Instead of disembarking de Lara for immediate medical care, the master chose to continue the voyage back to Manila, which took ten days, during which de Lara's condition worsened significantly. Upon arrival in Manila, he was not immediately taken to the hospital but had to wait several hours for a docking slot. He was eventually admitted to Manila Doctors Hospital, where he received treatment from June 24 to July 26, 1995. After his discharge, de Lara sought payment for his disability benefits and the remaining balance of his sickness wages, as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract. Despite assurances from the petitioners, he received no further compensation after an initial payment. Consequently, de Lara filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for the payment of his disability benefits and unpaid sickness wages. On July 31, 1997, the labor arbiter ruled in favor of de Lara, ordering the petitioners to pay him $25,000 in disability benefits and $1,137 in sickness wage balance. The NLRC affirmed this decision on July 29, 1998. After a motion for reconsideration was denied, the petitioners appealed to the Court of Appeals, which upheld the NLRC's decis...