GR 35733; (February, 1933) (Digest)
G.R. No. 35733 ; February 13, 1933
VALENTINA CATALLA, plaintiff-appellee, vs. THE TAYABAS LUMBER CO., ETC., defendant-appellant.
FACTS
Valentina Catalla filed a claim under the Workmen’s Compensation Act for indemnity arising from the death of her son, Mariano Oriel, who was killed by a falling tree while clearing a trail. The trail was located on land possessed by Joaquin Martinez and Fabian Mercurio, who had contracted with the Tayabas Lumber Company (through its administrator Lu Kang) to clear and maintain the trail for the company’s use in hauling timber, in exchange for an annual payment. Oriel was directly employed and paid by Martinez and Mercurio for the clearing work. The lower court held the lumber company liable and ordered it to pay compensation.
ISSUE
Was Mariano Oriel an employee of the Tayabas Lumber Company at the time of the accident, such that the company is liable for compensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Act?
RULING
No. The Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s decision. The contract was between the company and the landowners (Martinez and Mercurio) for the use of the trail, with the company merely paying rent. Oriel was employed directly by the landowners, who controlled the work. No contractual or juridical relationship existed between Oriel and the lumber company. Therefore, the company is not liable as an employer under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. The company was absolved from the complaint.
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