Title
Lorenzo vs. Government Service Insurance System
Case
G.R. No. 188385
Decision Date
Oct 2, 2013
Petitioner sought death benefits for spouse’s leukemia under Employees’ Compensation Law; denied as ailment non-occupational, no proof of increased risk from teaching.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 188385)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Claimant and Deceased: Petitioner Benito E. Lorenzo is the surviving spouse of Rosario D. Lorenzo, who was an Elementary Teacher I at the Department of Education (DepEd).
  • Employment and GSIS Membership: Rosario was a GSIS member with Policy No. CM-56244 and served as a teacher from October 2, 1984, to December 27, 2001.
  • Medical History:
    • On July 31, 2001, Rosario was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and was hospitalized for Pneumonia.
    • On October 1, 2001, she was admitted for Hematoma on the Tongue, Left Inner Lip, and Right Cheek with Gingival Bleeding.
    • She died on December 27, 2001, due to Cardio-Respiratory Arrest Secondary to Terminal Leukemia.
  • Claim for Benefits: Petitioner filed for Employees’ Compensation death benefits under Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 626, as amended.
  • Denial of Claim: The GSIS denied the claim, stating that Rosario’s ailment was non-occupational. The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) upheld the denial, ruling that her occupation did not increase the risk of leukemia.
  • CA Ruling: The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the ECC’s decision, stating that leukemia is compensable only among operating room personnel exposed to anesthetics, not teachers.

Issues:

The primary issue is whether Rosario Lorenzo’s death from Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia is compensable under P.D. No. 626, as amended.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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