Valid claim for employees’ compensation benefits sa SSS

ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta - @Magtanong Kay Attorney | December 12, 2022

Dear Chief Acosta,

Ang aking nakagisnang ama/stepfather ay nagtrabaho sa steel manufacturing company nang halos dalawang dekada. Ngunit ilang taon bago siya magretiro, siya ay nasuri na mayroong prostate cancer. Matapos ang halos dalawang taon na pakikipaglaban sa kanyang sakit, siya ay pumanaw noong nakaraang buwan. Ang aking ina ay sumangguni sa Social Security System (SSS) para makapag-file ng claim for employees’ compensation benefits, pero tinanggihan ito ng SSS. Tama ba ang ginawa ng SSS? - Marya

Dear Marya,

Para sa iyong kaalaman, ang iyong katanungan ay nasagot ng Kagalang-galang na Korte Suprema sa Social Security System vs. Violeta A. Simacas, G.R. No. 217866, 20 June 2022, na isinulat ni Kagalang-galang na Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, na nagpahayag ng mga sumusunod:

“The Labor Code defines sickness as ‘any illness definitely accepted as an occupational disease listed by the Commission, or any illness caused by employment subject to proof that the risk of contracting the same is increased by working conditions. x x x

It is undisputed that the sickness which caused Irnido’s death is not a listed occupational disease. Thus, it is incumbent upon respondents to demonstrate that the risk of contracting prostate cancer was increased by Irnido’s working conditions.

In establishing compensability, the claimant need only present substantial proof that the nature of the deceased’s work or working conditions increased the risk of them contracting prostate cancer. The degree of proof necessary was discussed in Sarmiento v. Employees’ Compensation Commission: x x x

A review of the records reveals that respondent proved that Irnido’s working conditions increased the risk of him contracting prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is characterized as a condition where ‘certain cells in the prostate become abnormal, multiply without control or order, and form a tumor.’ While it is one of the leading causes of death among men, not much is known about the illness’ etiology or cause.

The established risk factors for prostate cancer ‘are advanced age, ethnicity, genetic factors and family history[.]’ However, several studies have suggested that work-related exposures to certain substances, such as chromium, have the potential of affecting the risk of getting prostate cancer. A recent study ‘revealed a small but significant increase in prostate cancer risk for chromium exposure[.]’

In this case, it is undisputed that the deceased’s work included assisting the welder and machinist in cutting steel materials. It is said that ‘workers engaged in the manufacturing or handling of stainless steel are exposed to chromium in varying degrees.’ Thus, it is not unlikely that Irnido’s work increased the risk of him contracting the disease. This probability suffices to warrant the grant of the claimed benefits.

It must be stressed that while Presidential Decree No. 626 has not incorporated ‘the presumption of compensability and the theory of aggravation prevalent under the 'Workmen's Compensation Act[,]’ it continues to be ‘an employees' compensation law or a social legislation’ which should be liberally construed in favor of labor.” (Binigyang-diin)

Ayon sa nasabing kaso, para mabayaran sa idinulot na sakit na hindi karaniwang nakukuha/kaugnay sa trabaho, tulad sa kaso ng iyong stepfather, dapat patunayan na ang panganib ng pagkakaroon ng nasabing sakit ay pinalala ng mga kondisyon sa pagtatrabaho ng empleyado. Sapat na, na maipakita/mapatunayan ang makatwirang koneksyon ng sakit sa trabaho. Hindi kinakailangang patunayan na ang trabaho ang direktang may sanhi sa pagkakasakit ng empleyado.

Tulad ng tinalakay sa itaas, ilang pag-aaral ang nagmungkahi na ang mga pagkakalantad na nauugnay sa trabaho sa ilang mga sangkap/substance, tulad ng chromium ay may potensyal na makaapekto sa panganib na magkaroon ng prostate cancer. Ang kamakailang pag-aaral ay nagsiwalat ng maliit, ngunit makabuluhang pagtaas sa panganib ng prostate cancer para sa pagkakalantad/exposed sa chromium.

Kung kaya, kung ang trabaho ng empleyado ay exposed sa substance na chromium, may posibilidad na pinalala ng kanyang trabaho ang panganib ng pagkakaroon ng prostate cancer. Ang posibilidad na ito ay sapat na upang bigyang-katwiran ang pagkakaloob ng mga benepisyo na ginagarantiyahan sa ilalim ng Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.

Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.