Child Learning Center v. Timothy Tagario

Summary

This tort case arose from a school accident where a Grade IV student fell from a third-floor bathroom window after being trapped by a defective door lock. The Supreme Court applied the res ipsa loquitor doctrine, finding that the student's need to exit through the window demonstrated the door's malfunction. The Court held Child Learning Center liable under Article 2176 for negligence in failing to maintain doors and provide adequate safety measures. While affirming substantial damage awards (over P550,000 total), the Court rejected piercing the corporate veil to hold individual directors personally liable, finding insufficient evidence of control used to commit fraud or wrong. The decision establishes school responsibility for maintaining safe facilities and proper application of corporate veil piercing standards.