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.
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Protecting Seafarers: Employers Must Uphold Medical Obligations and Timely Pay Sickness Allowances
The Supreme Court ruled that employers cannot use a seafarer's missed check-up as an excuse to deny disability benefits when the employer failed to pay sickness allowance and approve treatment.
Seafarers' Disability Claims: The Binding Effect of the Company Physician's Fitness Certification
When a seafarer disagrees with the company physician's fitness assessment, the POEA-SEC requires referral to a third doctor. Skipping this step can doom a disability claim.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Proving Work-Related Injury and Timelines
Learn when seafarers can claim disability benefits, the burden of proof for work-related injury, and why timelines matter in compensation claims.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Company Doctor's "Fit to Work" Ruling Fails
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer gets total permanent disability benefits despite a company doctor's fit-to-work certification.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving Work-Related Injury in Maritime Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury is work-related and compensable, and why bare allegations fail.
Seafarer Disability Claim Denied: When a Gym Injury Is Not Work-Related
Supreme Court denies seafarer's disability claim for a gym injury, explaining why work-relatedness is essential under POEA rules.
Reinstating Attorney's Fees in Seafarer Disability Claims: The Horlador Ruling
The Supreme Court reinstates 10% attorney's fees for seafarers who win permanent total disability claims, reinforcing protective labor policy.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The Mandatory Third Doctor Rule and Compensation
Learn how the mandatory third doctor rule under the POEA-SEC affects seafarer disability claims and compensation in the Philippines.
Work-Related Injury: Defining Course of Employment in Seafarer Disability Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer death benefits, work-related illness presumption, and employer duties under POEA-SEC.
Seafarers' Rights: Employer's Duty to Provide Post-Repatriation Medical Care
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on a seafarer's disability claim, the mandatory third-doctor rule, and the employer's duty to provide post-repatriation medical care.
Abandonment OF Treatment AND Forfeiture OF Disability Benefits FOR Seafarers AN Analysis
Seafarer's Right to Disability Benefits: The Indefinite Assessment and the Third Doctor Rule
A seafarer who abandons treatment cannot claim permanent disability benefits. The Supreme Court explains the 120/240-day rule and the third doctor rule.
Concealment OR Condition Seafarers Rights TO Disability Benefits Under Poea SEC
The 240-Day Rule: When a Seafarer's Disability Claim Is Premature
The Supreme Court clarifies the 120/240-day rule on seafarer disability claims, explaining when filing for total permanent disability is premature.
Third Doctor's Opinion Prevails in Seafarer Disability Claims: Clarifying Conflict Resolution Under POEA-SEC
Supreme Court clarifies that a seafarer's disability grade is determined by the company-designated physician's assessment, unless a third doctor's opinion is obtained.
Seafarers Rights: When Delayed Medical Assessment Means Total Disability
Learn how a company doctor's failure to assess a seafarer within 120 days can result in total permanent disability benefits under POEA rules.
Seafarer Death Benefits: When Illness Is Not Work-Related Under the POEA Contract
The Supreme Court denies death benefits to a seafarer's heirs, ruling lung cancer from smoking was not work-related and death occurred beyond the contract term.
Work-Related Death Benefits for Seafarers: Proving Causation Under the POEA Contract
A seafarer's heirs must prove work-related death and death during employment to claim benefits. This case explains the rules.
Navigating Seafarer Disability Claims: The Primacy of the Company-Designated Physician's Assessment
When a seafarer's own doctor disagrees with the company physician, the POEA-SEC requires referral to a third doctor. Learn why.
Overcoming Concealment Claims Seafarers Right TO Disability Benefits Despite Prior Condition
Seafarers' Disability Benefits: Pre-Existing Conditions and Timely Assessments
Understand when a seafarer's disability is permanent and total, and why the company doctor's timely assessment prevails.
Seafarers Disability: The 240-Day Rule and the Right to Full Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's disability is deemed permanent and total under the 240-day rule, and why a timely company-doctor assessment matters.
Seafarers' Disability Claims: The Duty to Inform and the 120/240-Day Rule
The Supreme Court clarifies that a company-designated physician must actually inform the seafarer of a disability assessment; mere issuance is not enough.
Seafarers' Disability Claims: The 240-Day Rule and Premature Filing Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 240-day rule for seafarer disability assessments, explaining when a claim becomes premature and why timing matters.