Sacramento-area Driver Catastrophically Injured, Part 5 of 14

(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the proceedings.)

7. President Smythe’s job was not finished on July 17. Smythe intended to do some work for ABC on the morning of July 18, including checking e-mail and voicemail, doing follow-up, and preparing for her day using an ABC-issued phone and laptop issued for these purposes. Any such work would have been billed accordingly. [Smythe deposition, at 119:7-16; 119:21-121:2.]
B. Nancy Smythe Was an Employee of ABC
The seminal and well-reasoned case of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. v. Superior Court (1990) 220 Cal.App.3d 864, discusses at length the factors to be evaluated in determining employment status.
The most significant factor in determining whether the status of a person performing services for another is an employee or an independent contractor is the right to control the manner and means of accomplishing the result, that is, the details of the work. ‘If the employer has the authority to exercise complete control, whether or not that right is exercised with respect to all details, an employer-employee relationship exists.’

Id. at 873-874, quoting Empire Star Mines Co. v. Cal. Emp. Com. (1946) 28 Cal.2d 33, 43.

In addition to the determination regarding the right to control the manner and means of the work, the Toyota court also recognized factors set forth in the Restatement (2nd) of Agency, section 220, as additional matters of fact that must be considered:
(a) the extent of control which, by the agreement, the master may exercise over the details of the work;


(b) whether or not the one employed is engaged in a distinct occupation or business;
(c) the kind of occupation, with reference to whether, in the locality, the work is usually done under the direction of the employer or by a specialist without supervision;
(d) the skill required in the particular occupation;
(e) whether the employer or the workman supplies the instrumentalities, tools, and the place of work for the person doing the work;
(f) the length of time for which the person is employed;
(g) the method of payment, whether by the time or by the job;
(h) whether or not the work is a part of the regular business of the employer;
(I) whether or not the parties believe they are creating the relation of master and servant; and

(j) whether the principal is or is not in business.”

Id., citing Tieberg v. Unemployment Ins. App. Bd. (1970) 2 Cal.3d 943, 950, fn. 4. (See Part 6 of 14.)

For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.