Brown v. Missouri Lumber Transports, Inc.

• Decision Date: 13 July 1970
• Docket Number: No. 54933,No. 1,54933,1
• Citation: 456 S.W.2d 306
• Court: Missouri Supreme Court
• Parties: Herbert BROWN, Respondent, v. MISSOURI LUMBER TRANSPORTS, INC., Employer, and Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Insurer, Appellants

Page 306

456 S.W.2d 306

Herbert BROWN, Respondent, v. MISSOURI LUMBER TRANSPORTS, INC., Employer, and Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Insurer, Appellants.

No. 54933.

Supreme Court of Missouri, Division No. 1.

July 13, 1970.

Herder & Kearns, By: Arthur E. Herder, Jr., St. Louis, for respondent.

Edmund J. Barker, and Albert E. Cunliff, St. Louis, for appellants.

HIGGINS, Commissioner.

Appeal by employer and insurer from judgment affirming award of the Industrial Commission of Missouri to claimant of $12,463.20 medical aid and $12,750 (300 weeks at $42.50 per week), plus $27.50 per week for life, compensation for permanent total disability, an award in excess of $25,213.20. Appellants stipulated respondent's injuries, his permanent total disability, and the amount of the award, but seek to be relieved from the award, contending that claimant was not the employee of his general employer, Missouri Lumber Transports, at the time of his injury but was the employee of a special employer, Steel Haulers, Inc., as a loaned employee.

It probably is unnecessary to state the rules governing review of an award of the Industrial Commission, but the parties have briefed the matter extensively and, accordingly, another statement of such principles will be made. The award is not to be set aside upon review if the commission could reasonably have made its findings and reached its result on the evidence before it because the court's duty in reviewing a compensation case is to determine whether the commission's award is supported by competent and substantial evidence upon the whole record. The reviewing court may not substitute its own judgment on the evidence for that of the commission. The reviewing court is authorized to decide whether the commission could reasonably have made its findings and reached its result upon consideration of all the evidence before it; and it is authorized to set aside decisions only when clearly contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence. The court reviews the record in the light most favorable to the findings of the commission; weight of the evidence and credibility of the witnesses are for the commission; and where evidence and inferences are conflicting, resolution rests with the commission and it is conclusive on the reviewing court. Art. V, § 22, Mo.Const.1945; § 287.490, V.A.M.S., and see Stephens v. Crane Trucking, Inc., Mo., 446 S.W.2d 772, 774; Dupree v. Yorkshire Cleaners, Mo.App., April 28, 1970, 454 S.W.2d 607; Merriman v. Ben Gutman Truck Service, Inc., Mo., 392 S.W.2d 292; Baker v. Krey Packing Co., Mo.App., 398 S.W.2d 185, 187; Baer v. City of Brookfield, Mo.App., 366 S.W.2d 469; Troyer v. Armour & Co., Mo.App., 423 S.W.2d 58, 61(1); Wilhite v. Hurd, Mo., 411 S.W.2d 72, 77(2); Hugelman v. Beltone, Mo.App., 389 S.W.2d 220, 223(3); Pratt v. Reed & Brown Hauling Co., Mo.App., 361 S.W.2d 57, 61--62(1--4); Liverman v. Wagner, Mo.App., 384 S.W.2d 107, 109(2, 3); Miller v. Sleight & Hellmuth Ink Co., Mo., 436 S.W.2d 625, 628(6); Offutt v. Travelers Ins. Co., Mo.App., 437 S.W.2d 127, 129; Dickhaut v. Bilyeu Refrigerated Transport Corp., Mo., 441 S.W.2d 54, 56(1); Stroud v. Zuzich, Mo., 271 S.W.2d 549; Shrock v. Wolfe Auto Sales, Inc., Mo., 358 S.W.2d 812; Pulliam v. Home Bldg. Contractors, Inc., Mo.App., 363 S.W.2d 48, 50(2).

It was admitted that Herbert Brown had an accident March 5, 1965, and that at that time Missouri Lumber Transports, Inc., was an employer subject to the Missouri Workmen's Compensation Law and insured by Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company; and appellants' reply brief states 'there is no question but that Herbert Brown remained in the general employment of Missouri Lumber Transports, Inc.'

In January, 1965, Herbert Brown met with Robert Russell, President, Missouri Lumber Transports, Inc., and he was hired as a truck driver. He was paid by the number of miles driven, 60 cents per mile for deadhead, 70 cents per mile up to forty thousand pounds, and 80 cents per mile over forty thousand pounds. Mr. Russell gave all the instructions, where to secure loads, where to deliver, and with respect to return loads or returning empty. Mr. Russell furnished the tractor and trailer and Mr. Brown was the only driver to operate it. The tractor bore Missouri's markings and identification; the company provided all licenses and permits. Mr. Brown had the duty to see that his equipment was maintained at the garages where Missouri had accounts. Mr. Brown's employment was full time for which he was paid weekly by Missouri. When on a trip Mr. Brown would call Mr. Russell's office every morning. If he hauled into the Chicago area he was instructed by Mr. Russell to report to a Mr. Parker at Steel Haulers, Inc., in Hammond, Indiana, 'and he would see about getting me a load back.' Mr. Parker was working for Mr. Russell in this respect. A special telephone was maintained by Missouri Transports in Ironton, Missouri, for communication with Steel Haulers in Hammond, Indiana, with respect to return loads. The only instruction Mr. Brown would receive from Mr. Parker pertained to where the return load could be secured. Mr. Brown received no salary or benefits from anyone other than Missouri. He consented to take orders from Mr. Russell and he was never given orders by any other person.

On four or five trips prior to March 5, 1965, Mr. Brown hauled cargo into Chicago and, following Mr. Russell's instructions, would report to Mr. Parker who told him where to get the return load and furnished the bill of lading and trip lease of Missouri's rig to Steel Haulers. Mr. Brown would supervise loading for the return trip and, upon completion of the trip, would mail his trip report to Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell gave Mr. Brown the discretion to select his return routes.

Around February 25 or 26, 1965, Mr. Brown, pursuant to instructions from Mr. Russell, delivered a load to U.S. Steel in Chicago. After delivery, he went to Steel Haulers but they had no load. While awaiting a load, he contracted the flu and called Mr. Russell, who authorized him to leave his rig and return to St. Louis. Seven days later, upon his recovery, he called Mr. Russell, who directed him to return to Chicago with another Missouri driver. The following day, March 4, 1965, he got a return load from Steel Haulers. Pursuant to his general authority from Mr. Russell, Mr. Brown executed a trip lease of his Missouri rig to Steel Haulers on behalf of, and for the benefit of, Missouri, and Mr. Parker executed for Steel Haulers. Mr. Brown drew an expense advance from Mr Parker and Steel Hauler's identification was placed over the Missouri identification on the door of the tractor. The return load was 43,700 pounds of sheet steel to be delivered at Aurora, Missouri. Mr. Brown supervised the loading and selected his route, Highway 66 through St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. The accident occurred during a snowstorm in the early hours of March 5, 1965, about 60 miles south of St. Louis. He was injured and was hospitalized. While in the hospital, Mr. Brown was told by Mr. Russell 'not to worry about anything that he was completely covered by insurance * * *.' Mr. Brown was aware that as a driver in interstate commerce he was subject to I.C.C. regulations regarding safety of himself and his equipment. He knew that Missouri could not haul steel without the triplease arrangement.

Robert G. Russell, President and Managing Officer of Missouri, hired Mr. Brown in January, 1965. He was Mr. Brown's supervisor and gave general orders and instructions, and designated all loads for Mr. Brown to transport. If a Missouri driver went to Chicago, 'we would advise him to go to Steel Haulers and they in turn would dispatch him out on a return load * * *. It was Mr. Parker that worked for Steel Haulers, we also compensated his wages * * *. Our instructions (to Mr. Brown) were to go to Steel Haulers and wait for a load unless we would tell them to come out empty.' Missouri's drivers were to go to Steel Haulers and contact Mr. Parker who became an employee of Missouri in January, 1965. 'His duties were in the event our trucks got to Steel Haulers and they would not have a load he was to use our telephone and call other truck lines and try to secure other loads back for our trucks.' Missouri got the benefit of any load secured by Mr. Parker. '* * * we would invoice the carrier for whom the service was performed and we in turn would pay the driver.' The load being carried by Mr. Brown at the time of his accident was secured under the arrangement between Mr. Parker at Steel Haulers and Mr. Brown's employer, Missouri. Missouri's drivers were instructed to inspect Missouri's equipment daily pursuant to I.C.C. regulation. Mr. Russell acknowledged his visits to Mr. Brown while in the hospital and 'explained he had nothing to worry about.' Missouri's I.C.C. authority was limited to hauling lumber and Missouri trip leased its equipment for return hauls to help compensate for the expenses of it. Trip leasing is authorized under I.C.C. regulations and the lessee becomes the party responsible to the I.C.C. The agreement between Steel Haulers and Missouri provided that 'Second Party (Missouri) shall hire his own drivers and helpers on the vehicles leased * * *,' and Mr. Brown was hired as a driver by Missouri in accordance with that provision. Mr. Russell felt he had authority to terminate one of his drivers even if he were driving under a lease, and that he had fired drivers during a trip. He claimed a general right to fire employees, a right he felt he had with respect to Mr. Brown. Mr. Russell gave a written statement June 18, 1965, in which he stated that 'Missouri Lumber Transports, Inc., had complete control and direction of the driver and the vehicle in its operation as a motor common carrier. * * * in its routine operation of its motor vehicles, it was required for the drivers, upon completion of delivery in the Chicago area, to contact ...