Case Summary (G.R. No. L-8966)
Factual Background
Respondent Turreda was hired as a Chief Cook on December 16, 2015, under a nine-month contract and was declared fit for sea duties after a pre-employment medical examination. He experienced severe headaches while onboard the vessel Water Phoenix in June 2016, leading to his repatriation due to a diagnosis of migraines. After his return to the Philippines, he underwent further medical examinations, revealing more serious conditions, including hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Medical Assessments and Certifications
Subsequent to his repatriation, Turreda was evaluated by the company-designated physician, who declared him fit to work shortly after identifying his medical issues. However, the respondent later consulted his doctor of choice, who diagnosed him with multiple health concerns and stated he was unfit for work, prompting Turreda to file a disability complaint against the petitioners.
Procedural History
The Labor Arbiter initially dismissed Turreda’s complaint, ruling that his illness was not work-related and that he was cleared by the company-designated physician. This decision was appealed to the NLRC, which overturned the Labor Arbiter's findings and awarded Turreda total and permanent disability benefits, citing insufficient medical evaluation from the company-designated physician.
Court of Appeals Ruling
The CA upheld the NLRC’s decision, concluding that the assessment by the company-designated physician was not definitive or complete. The CA noted that the documents provided lacked necessary signatures and medical evidence, which rendered Turreda's condition uncertain and led to a legal presumption of total and permanent disability.
Key Legal Issues
The primary legal issues revolved around whether Turreda's illness was work-related and if the medical assessment provided by the company-designated physician was complete and definitive. According to the POEA-SEC, illnesses sustained during employment can be compensable if they meet the criteria of being work-related.
Court's Conclusion
The Supreme Court affirmed the CA’s ruling, holding that Turreda's hypertensive cardiovascular disease was indeed work-related, as he exh
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-8966)
Case Background
- This case involves a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.
- The petitioners, Avior Marine, Inc., Carina Marine N.V., and Edna L. Ranara, are contesting the Decision dated August 16, 2019, and the Resolution dated November 27, 2019, from the Court of Appeals (CA).
- The CA upheld the National Labor Relations Commission's (NLRC) Decision dated May 21, 2018, which awarded total and permanent disability benefits to respondent Arnaldo R. Turreda.
Parties Involved
- Petitioners:
- Avior Marine, Inc. - A domestic corporation specializing in the recruitment and placement of seafarers.
- Carina Marine N.V. and Edna L. Ranara - Local agents of Avior Marine.
- Respondent:
- Arnaldo R. Turreda - Hired as Chief Cook under a nine-month contract.
Employment and Medical History
- Turreda was hired on December 16, 2015, with a monthly salary of US$725.00 and was declared fit for sea duties after a pre-employment medical examination.
- Onboard the vessel Water Phoenix, Turreda experienced severe headaches in June 2016 and was diagnosed with migraine by a doctor in Ecuador, leading to his repatriation on June 14, 2016.
- Upon his return to the Philippines, he underwent several medical examinations, leading to a diagnosis of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, mitral regurgitation, and migraine headache.
Dispute Development
- Turreda was certified fit to work by the company-designated physician on July 12, 2016, despite ongoing symptoms and subsequent consultations with his doctor of choice.
- Turreda was not redeployed and subsequently filed a disability complaint against the petitioners, claiming his illness was work-related.