Sharon Co v. Mark Paul Medina

Summary

This case involves a vehicular accident where Mark Paul Medina was struck by a 10-wheeler truck driven by Severino Pestanio Jr., an employee of Sharon Co, while crossing the road. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts' finding of joint and several liability, applying the prudent man standard under Article 2176 of the Civil Code to establish the driver's negligence. The Court found Pestanio Jr. negligent for failing to stop at a safe distance despite seeing the victim at the centerline. Sharon Co was held vicariously liable under Article 2180 due to her failure to rebut the presumption of negligence in employee selection and supervision. The Court rejected her claim of non-ownership of the truck as unsubstantiated and affirmed the award of ₱757,641.98 actual damages, ₱150,000 moral damages, ₱75,000 exemplary damages, and ₱50,000 attorney's fees, plus 6% annual interest. The decision emphasizes employer accountability and the strict application of tort liability principles in vehicular accident cases.