Case Summary (G.R. No. 144118)
Accident and Initial Medical Treatment
During a laboratory experiment involving anhydrous sodium acetate and barium hydroxide, a test tube burst, resulting in the chemicals striking Winston's face and eyes, leading to the total loss of sight in his right eye. Initially treated at the SLU hospital, Winston's injuries necessitated evacuation to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Manila for further medical attention, where he was hospitalized for five days before undergoing surgery to implant an artificial right eye.
Complaint for Damages
On January 24, 1996, the Corderos filed a complaint against SLU, its President Fr. Joseph Van Den Dailen, department chair Engr. Josephine Aries Dulay, Dean Eufracio de los Reyes, and Engr. Bautista, alleging gross negligence that resulted in Winston's injuries. After a trial, the Regional Trial Court rendered a decision on May 30, 1998, finding SLU and Bautista guilty of gross negligence.
Judgment and Subsequent Motions
The trial court ordered SLU and Bautista to pay various damages totaling over P1.6 million, including medical expenses, moral, and exemplary damages. The Corderos later filed a motion for reconsideration to increase damages, which led to an increase in the exemplary damages awarded. In total, the trial court's order raised the award significantly and mandated SLU and Bautista to compensate the Cordero spouses with moral damages.
Appeal Process
Following the trial court's decisions, SLU and Bautista filed their notices of appeal, although they did not initially pay the requisite docket and filing fees within the time limits prescribed by the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure. The trial court accepted the notice of appeal despite the lack of fee payment. However, the Court of Appeals later denied their motion to admit the payment of these fees after the appeal period had elapsed.
Legal Arguments and Court of Appeals' Ruling
The petitioners argued that the gross negligence of their counsel, resulting in delays and procedural mishaps regarding docket fees, should not bind them, thus asserting their right to appeal. They invoked the principle that counsel's negligence should not deprive a client of due process. However, the respondents maintained that the actions taken by petitioners’ counsel constituted binding negligence that justified the dismissal of the appeal.
Compliance with Procedural Requirements
In addressing the issue of compliance with the appellate court's procedural rules, the court reaffirmed that timely payment of docket fees is mandatory for perfecting an appeal, as stipulated in the Rules of Court. The failure of the petitioners to pay the docket fees within the required period rendered their appeal improperly perfected, leading the Court of A
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 144118)
Case Background
- The case arises from an accident during an Organic Chemistry class at Saint Louis University (SLU), Baguio City.
- On August 3, 1995, Winston Joseph Z. Cordero, a student, was injured when chemicals (anhydrous sodium acetate and barium hydroxide) burst from a test tube, leading to total blindness in his right eye.
- The experiment was conducted under the supervision of petitioner Engr. Christine Bautista, who did not provide goggles despite the textbook's recommendation.
Medical Treatment and Aftermath
- Following the incident, Winston was taken to SLU hospital for two days but was later transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Manila due to inadequate medical facilities.
- After five days at St. Luke’s, Winston underwent surgery on October 5, 1995, where an artificial right eye was implanted.
- The Cordero family filed a complaint for damages against SLU and several officials, citing gross negligence leading to Winston's injuries.
Trial Court Decision
- On May 30, 1998, the Regional Trial Court found SLU and Engr. Bautista guilty of gross negligence.
- The court ordered them to pay substantial damages, including:
- P48,915.32 for medical treatment and transportation
- P40,000 for loss of the right eye and injury to the left eye
- P3,000 for the artificial eye
- P50,000 for hospitalization and fitting fees
- P500,000 as moral damages
- P500,000 as exemplary damages
- P20,000 for attorney's fee