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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Seafarer Death Benefits: Work-Related Illness and Medical Repatriation Under the POEA-SEC
Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' death benefits when work-related illness causes death after medical repatriation under the POEA-SEC.
Work-Related Injury Death After Contract Compensable Claim
Supreme Court rules death benefits are payable when a seafarer's work-related injury causes death after contract termination due to medical repatriation.
Seafarer Suicide and Death Benefits: Proving Willfulness Under Philippine Law
When a seafarer dies at sea, who bears the burden of proving suicide? The Supreme Court's ruling in Agile Maritime clarifies willfulness in death benefit claims.
Suicide as a Bar to Seafarer Death Benefits: The Burden of Proof
When can a seafarer's suicide bar death benefits? The Supreme Court clarifies the employer's burden of proof in this maritime law case.
Employees Compensation for Leukemia: Proving Increased Occupational Risk
A widow's claim for EC death benefits failed because she could not prove her husband's security guard work increased his leukemia risk.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Proving Work-Related Illness After Contract Termination
Learn when a seafarer's death after contract end is compensable, and the evidence needed to prove work-related illness under the POEA Contract.
Seafarers Death Benefits: Contract Extensions, Release Documents, and Compensability
Supreme Court rules seafarer's death compensable despite release documents and expired contract, protecting heirs' right to death benefits.
Shore Leave and Seafarer Death Benefits: When Work-Relatedness Fails
Supreme Court rules a seafarer's death during shore leave is not automatically work-related; explains the causal connection required for death benefits.
Seafarers Death Benefits Proving Causation Between Injury AND Fatal Illness
Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' death benefits: bare allegations of causation between injury and fatal illness are not enough.
Death Benefits and Seafarers' Willful Acts: Employer Liability in Maritime Law
When a seafarer dies by suicide, employers may avoid death benefits if they prove the death resulted from a willful act.
CBA Interpretation Voluntary Arbitration Prevails In Seafarer Death Benefit Claims
Supreme Court rules voluntary arbitrators, not labor arbiters, hear CBA interpretation disputes involving seafarer death benefits.
Prescription Periods and Missing Seafarers: How Employer Actions Can Extend Your Claim for Death Benefits
Learn how employer negligence and concealment can extend prescription periods for seafarer death benefit claims in the Philippines.
Death Benefits AND Contractual Limits Seafarers Rights Under Philippine LAW
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Death Benefits FOR Seafarers Contract Expiration VS Time OF Demise
Seafarers' Rights: Employer Liability for Illness Manifesting During Employment Despite Post-Contract Death
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer death benefits when illness manifests during employment but death occurs after contract term.
Prescription of Seafarer Claims: Labor Code Prevails Over Standard Employment Contract
Supreme Court rules 3-year Labor Code prescription governs seafarer money claims, but death benefits require death during contract effectivity.
Bereavement Leave and Death Benefits: Protecting Employees' Rights in Times of Loss
The Supreme Court ruled that bereavement leave and death benefits under a CBA cover the death of an unborn child. Learn the legal basis.
Estranged Spouse Not Entitled to SSS Death Benefits: The Dependency Rule
An estranged wife who left her husband and remarried abroad is not a "dependent spouse" under the SSS law, so she cannot claim his death benefits.
Seafarer Death Benefits: The Primacy of the Employment Contract's Term
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a seafarer's death during the contract term entitles heirs to death benefits under the POEA Standard Employment Contract.
Seafarers Death Benefits: Work Relatedness and Contractual Coverage for Compensation Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when seafarers' death benefits apply—death must occur during the contract term and illness must be work-related.
Who Gets SSS Death Benefits When a Member Has Multiple Wives? A Primer on Beneficiary Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who qualifies as primary beneficiary under the SSS Law when a member leaves behind a legal spouse and common-law families.
Seafarer Death Benefits Understanding Contract Terms AND Post Employment Claims IN THE Philippines
Work Relatedness and Death Benefits: Proving Causal Links in Compensation Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when illnesses like breast cancer qualify for death benefits under PD 626, requiring proof of work-related risk.