Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
When a Seafarer's Disability Claim Fails: The Weight of Medical Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's disability claim fails, emphasizing the company-designated physician's findings and proper procedure.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Why the Company Doctor's Assessment Prevails Under POEA-SEC
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the mandatory third-doctor referral rule in seafarer disability claims and why the company-designated physician's assessment prevails.
Seafarers Disability Claim Strict Compliance With Post Employment Medical Examination Rule
Seafarer Disability Claims: When Company Doctors and Independent Assessments Clash
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why seafarers must see a company-designated physician within three days of repatriation and what happens if they don't.
Navigating Seafarer Disability Claims THE Importance OF THE Company Designated Doctors Assessment
Company Doctor's Assessment Upheld in Seafarer Disability Claims
The Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer who fails to refer conflicting medical findings to a third doctor is bound by the company-designated physician's disability rating.
The Duty of Disclosure: Honesty in Seafarer Employment Contracts
A Supreme Court ruling on how concealing a pre-existing illness in a seafarer's PEME can bar disability claims, even when the 3-day reporting rule is excused.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Prematurity and the Burden of Proof in Tagle v. Anglo-Eastern
Explaining when a seafarer's disability claim is premature and who bears the burden of proving work-relatedness under the POEA-SEC.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The Role of Company-Designated Physicians and POEA-SEC Rules
Understand the Tagle v. Anglo-Eastern ruling on seafarer disability claims, company-designated physicians, and POEA-SEC grading rules.
Diabetes and Seafarers' Rights: When a Disability Claim Fails Under the POEA-SEC
Supreme Court explains when diabetes is not a compensable work-related illness for seafarers, and why the 120-day rule is not automatic.
Accidental Injury at Sea: Defining "Accident" for Seafarer Disability Claims
When is a seafarer's injury an "accident" for CBA disability benefits? The Supreme Court clarifies in Sunga v. Virjen Shipping.
Seafarers Disability: Prolonged Incapacity Trumps Fit-to-Work Certification
A company doctor's fit-to-work certification does not defeat a seafarer's permanent total disability claim when incapacity exceeds 120 days.
Seafarers Disability Timely Assessment IS KEY To Benefits Entitlement
A seafarer's disability claim hinges on the company doctor's timely assessment. Learn the 120/240-day rule from a Supreme Court case.
Seafarers’ Disability Claims: Abandoning Treatment and the POEA-SEC Rules
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability claims, emphasizing the POEA-SEC requirements and the consequences of abandoning treatment.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving Work Relatedness
A seafarer's disability claim fails without proof of work relatedness. The Supreme Court clarifies the burden in Ayungo v. Beamko.
Burden of Proof in Seafarer Injury Claims: Proving Self-Inflicted Harm
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an employer can defeat a seafarer's disability claim by proving the injury was self-inflicted.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When Injury During a Basketball Game Counts as Work-Related
The Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer injured during a basketball game on board a vessel may still claim total and permanent disability benefits.
The Three-Day Rule: Strict Compliance for Seafarer Disability Claims
Philippine Supreme Court affirms strict three-day post-employment medical exam rule for seafarers claiming disability benefits; failure forfeits claims.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When Heart Disease Is Not Compensable Under POEA Contract
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability claims, work-connection requirement, and the mandatory 3-day post-employment medical examination under the POEA contract.
Finished Contract VS Medical Repatriation Understanding Seafarer Disability Claims IN THE Philippines
Seafarers Disability Claims: POEA-SEC Governs Absent Proof of CBA Benefits
Supreme Court clarifies when POEA-SEC, not a CBA, governs seafarer disability pay; proof requirements for claiming superior CBA benefits.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Why Following POEA-SEC Dispute Procedures Matters
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why seafarers must follow the POEA-SEC third-doctor procedure in disability claims.
Protecting Seafarers: Upholding Disability Claims Despite Company Doctor's Assessment
Supreme Court rules seafarers can dispute company-designated physician's fitness assessment with independent medical evidence, protecting their disability claims.
Seafarers Disability Claims Strict Compliance With POEA SEC Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why seafarers must strictly comply with POEA-SEC disability claim procedures, including the 3-day post-employment medical examination rule.