DocketNumber: I.C. NO. 418650.
Judges: <center> OPINION AND AWARD WRITTEN FOR THE FULL COMMISSION BY THOMAS J. BOLCH, COMMISSIONER.</center>
Filed Date: 3/9/2000
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 4/17/2021
The Full Commission has reviewed the prior Opinion and Award based upon the record of the proceedings before Deputy Commissioner Lawrence B. Shuping, Jr., the briefs and oral arguments before the Full Commission. The appealing party has shown good ground to reconsider the evidence on the limited issue of their right to recover from Defendant Doug Stanley. Having reconsidered the evidence, the Full Commission enters an Opinion and Award on the limited issue of liability as between the Defendants.
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Based upon all of the competent evidence of record, the Full Commission makes the following:
2. Doug Stanley leased tractor unit 129 to J.L. Rothrock, Inc. for a period of one year beginning on 9/16/93. Carzell Harris was the driver Doug Stanley provided for this leased tractor. However, Carzell Harris was not a party to the Lease Agreement.
3. Defendant, J. L. Rothrock, Inc. (Rothrock) is a common carrier in Greensboro, North Carolina engaged in the hauling of goods in interstate commerce pursuant to franchise authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission.
4. Doug Stanley initially leased one truck to Rothrock, but ultimately leased all five of his trucks and drivers to Rothrock. These trucks were to be operated under Rothrock s franchise authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission hauling loads for Rothrocks customers. Both parties regularly employed three or more drivers and, therefore, were subject to and bound by the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act at the time in question. Rothrock asked Doug Stanley for proof of Workers Compensation insurance, but never followed up on that request. Rothrock entered a lease agreement without ever obtaining any proof of Workers Compensation insurance from Doug Stanley. Doug Stanley failed to comply with the provisions of G.S.
5. Doug Stanley and Rothrock continued their relationship from approximately September 1993 until February 1994 when a dispute arose over Doug Stanleys failure to take withholding taxes out of his drivers salaries.
6. On the night of 16 January 1994, Carzell Harris left his residence in tractor number 129 that Doug Stanley had leased to Rothrock in order to pick up a load of textiles for Rothrock in Anderson, South Carolina, which were to be delivered to one of its customers in Greensboro. Upon delivering the load to Greensboro, Carzell Harris was to pick up another load for Rothrock in Asheboro and deliver it to Greer, South Carolina. During the pendency of the same trip, Carzell Harris was hauling under Rothrocks ICC Franchise Authority, at their direction, and for their benefit. Therefore, he was an employee of Rothrock and Rothrock was primarily responsible for any injuries arising out of and in the course of that employment.
7. Having delivered the load to Greensboro and picked up another in Asheboro, Carzell Harris was on his way to Greer, South Carolina when he was forced to stop his vehicle in the right hand lane of Interstate
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Based upon the findings of fact, the Full Commission concludes as follows:
2. Carzell Harris was an employee of J. L. Rothrock, Inc. at the time of his death. N.C. Gen. Stat.
3. An employer should not be able to escape liability or obligations through the use of a special contract or agreement if the elements required for coverage of the injured employee would otherwise exist. N.C. Gen. Stat.
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Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, the Full Commission enters the following:
2. Defendant J.L Rothrock, Inc. shall pay the costs.
This 21st day of June, 1999.
S/_____________ THOMAS J. BOLCH COMMISSIONER
CONCURRING:
S/___________________ BERNADINE S. BALLANCE COMMISSIONER
S/____________________ MARGARET MORGAN HOLMES DEPUTY COMMISSIONER