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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Seafarers' Rights: Defining Total and Permanent Disability in Maritime Employment
When a company-designated physician fails to issue a final disability assessment within 120 or 240 days, a seafarer is deemed totally and permanently disabled.
When the Company Doctor's Disability Rating Becomes Binding on Seafarers
The Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer who disagrees with the company-designated physician's disability rating must follow the POEA-SEC procedure, or that rating becomes final.
Company-Designated Physician's Fitness Declaration Prevails in Seafarer Disability Claims
Supreme Court rules company-designated physician's fit-to-work assessment binds seafarer unless properly disputed under POEA-SEC procedure.
Weighing Medical Opinions: Company Doctors vs Private Physicians in Seafarer Disability Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's findings prevail over a private doctor's assessment in seafarer disability claims.
Defining the Limits of Medical Assessment Periods for Seafarer Disability Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's delay in assessing a seafarer's disability results in permanent total disability benefits.
Seafarers Disability Claims Upholding Company Doctors Assessment Absent Third Opinion
Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's disability grading prevails over a seafarer's private doctor in POEA-SEC claims.
Filing Disability Claims Early: Why Timing and the Company Doctor's Assessment Matter
A seafarer's premature disability claim fails when the company-designated physician issues a Grade 10 rating within 240 days. Learn the rules.
Premature Claims and the Company Physician's Assessment in Seafarer Disability Cases
Explaining Maersk Filipinas v. Ramos on why premature disability claims fail and how the company-designated physician's assessment shapes seafarer compensation.
When the Company Physician's Fit-to-Work Assessment Prevails in Seafarer Disability Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's fit-to-work certification outweighs a seafarer's private doctor in disability claims.
The Three-Day Rule: Forfeiture of Seafarers' Disability Benefits for Non-Compliance
A seafarer's failure to see a company-designated physician within three days of repatriation can forfeit disability claims, as Ricasata v. Cargo Safeway shows.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The Weight of Company-Designated Physician Assessments
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on seafarer disability claims, emphasizing the company-designated physician's assessment and timely procedures under the POEA-SEC.
When Fit-to-Work Assessments Prevail: Seafarer Disability Claims Under POEA-SEC
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's fit-to-work declaration prevails over a seafarer's chosen doctor in disability claims.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The 240-Day Rule and Company Doctor Assessments
Learn how the 240-day rule and company-designated physician assessments determine seafarer disability claims in Philippine maritime law.
Defining the Duty of a Company-Designated Physician in Seafarer Disability Claims
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how promptly a company-designated physician must assess a seafarer's fitness to work, and what happens when that duty is delayed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The 240-Day Rule and Company-Designated Physicians
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 240-day rule on seafarer disability claims and the binding weight of company-designated physician assessments.
Company Doctor's Assessment Prevails in Seafarer Disability Claims: Ison v. Crewserve
SC rules company-designated physician's fit-to-work assessment prevails over belated, unsupported certifications from seafarer's own doctors in disability claims.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: Company Doctor's Assessment Prevails Without Substantial Evidence
Supreme Court rules seafarer's brief psychotic disorder not work-related; company-designated physician's assessment prevails absent substantial evidence of work causation.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Timely Medical Assessment and Permanent Disability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability claims, the role of company-designated physicians, and the importance of timely medical assessment.
Medical Negligence: The Duty to Consider Existing Conditions During Treatment
Philippine Supreme Court rules on seafarer disability claims, company-designated physician assessments, and the duty to consider pre-existing conditions.