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Smith Bell vs. Borja
(G.R. No. 143008 143008,, June 10, 2002) SMITH BELL DODWELL SHIPPING AGENCY CORPORATION, petitioner, vs. CATALINO BORJA and INTERNATIONAL TO WAGE AND TRANSPORT CORPORATION, respondents. PANGANIBAN, J.:
FACTS: On September 23, 1987, Smith Bell (petitioner) requested the Bureau of Customs to inspect vessel M/T King Family which was due to arrive at the port of Manila on September 24, 1987. Customs Inspector Borja was instructed to inspect said vessel. At about 11 o'clock in the morning on September 24, while M/T King Family was unloading chemicals unto two (2) barges owned by ITTC (respondent), a sudden explosion occurred setting the vessels afire. Seeing the fire and fearing for his life, Borja hurriedly jumped over board to save himself. Borja survived but he became permanently disabled due to the incident. He made demands against Smith Bell and ITTC for the damages caused by the explosion but both denied liabilities and attributed to each other negligence. RTC ruled in Borja’s favor and held Smith Bell liable for damages and loss of income, and ordered the latter to pay actual damages for loss of earning capacity, capacity, moral damages and attorney’s fees. CA affirmed. ISSUE: Who, if any, is liable for Borja’s injuries? SMITH BELL HELD: Smith Bell is liable. Both RTC and CA ruled that the fire and explosion originated from Smith Bell’s vessel. (As supported by the testimonies of the eyewitnesses and the investigation conducted by the Special Board of Marine Inquiry and affirmed by the secretary of the Dept. of National Defense.) Negligence is conduct that creates undue risk of harm to another. It is the failure to observe that degree of care, precaution and vigilance that the circumstances justly demand, whereby that other person suffers injury. injury. Smith Bell's vessel was carrying chemical cargo. While knowing that their vessel was carrying dangerous inflammable chemicals, its officers and crew failed to take all the necessary precautions to prevent an accident. Smith Bell was, therefore, negligent. The three elements of quasi-delict of quasi-delict are: are: (a) damages suffered by the plaintiff, (b) fault or negligence of the defendant, and (c) the connection of cause and effect between the fault or negligence of the defendant and the damages inflicted on the plaintiff. All these elements were established in this case. Knowing case. Knowing fully well that it was carrying dangerous chemicals, Smith Bell was negligent in not taking all the necessary precautions in transporting the cargo. As a result of the fire and the explosion during the unloading of the chemicals from the vessel, Borja suffered damages and injuries. Hence, the owner or the person in possession a nd control of a vessel and the vessel are liable for all natural and proximate damage caused to persons and property by reason of negligent management or navigation. SC awarded: loss of earning capacity; moral damages and attorney’s fees under the Civil Code’s Article 2219, par. 2, and Article 2208, par. 11, respectively.
