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DUANE HOFFMAN, Plaintiff Appellant
vs.
JDM ASSOCIATES INC., d/b/a MANPOWER OF MUSKEGON, Defendant-Appellee.
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Issues:
Tort action, superior liability, negligence, summary disposition, worker's compensation, sufficient control
Case Summary:
Duane Hoffman appeals a lower court ruling that granted summary disposition in favor of Manpower of Muskegon, a company whose temporary worker, Gary Appel, Jr., had run over Hoffman's foot with a forklift. Hoffman was employed by Shape Corp. at the time of the accident; Appel was provided to Shape as a temporary worker by Manpower.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
The circuit court had ruled in favor of Manpower, noting that the company had not retained "sufficient control" over Appel to make it vicariously liable.
Outcome:
Manpower wins. The court of appeals affirmed lower court ruling, noting that Manpower did not exercise "requisite control" to make it liable for the actions of a loaned servant. Even though Manpower paid Appel and reserved the right to fire him, the court added, Manpower did not retain "day-to-day control or supervision of his specific work activities."