Opinion
July 1, 1925.
Appeal from State Industrial Board.
Nadal, Jones Mowton [ Edward P. Mowton of counsel], for the appellants.
Albert Ottinger, Attorney-General [ E.C. Aiken, Deputy Attorney-General, of counsel], for the respondents.
The defense is that claimant was an independent contractor.
The Blount Lumber Company was engaged in lumbering operations. Claimant was a farmer and with other farmers contracted to draw logs for the lumber company from Smartville where the logs were cut to the plant of the company in Lacona, a distance of about five miles. Claimant furnished his own team and for the services of himself and team was paid five dollars per 1,000 feet. The logs were loaded and unloaded by employees of the lumber company. The only duty of claimant was to transport them. While drawing the second load one of the logs fell off the sleigh, injuring the claimant, for which injury he seeks compensation. An interval of five or six days had occurred between the first and second loads. Claimant was at liberty to work when and as fast as he pleased. He might draw one or three loads a day. He could select his own hours as well as his own days, the only limitation being such hours as the employees of the lumber company were on hand to load or unload the logs. He passed his residence in the course of transportation and might deliver the logs in two hours or two days as suited his convenience if he desired to delay the transportation of a load over night at his residence. He might use his own team or that of another or might procure a substitute for himself. As a matter of fact after the accident he hired and paid another man to take his place. This seems to be a case where the claimant was responsible to the lumber company only for the result of his work and not for the method or details of its accomplishment. The lumber company had no control over claimant from the time he started on his trip until he reached his destination. The fact that the lumber company loaded and unloaded the logs cannot affect the relation of the parties. That was incidental to the transportation. As to that the lumber company had no power to give directions as to the manner of performance. It was entirely within the discretion of claimant. He represented his own will in everything except the result of his work. The contention that he was an independent contractor is, therefore, sustained. ( Matter of Beach v. Velzy, 238 N.Y. 100.) And inasmuch as he was a contractor, section 56 Work. Comp. of the Workmen's Compensation Law has no application.
The award should be reversed and the claim dismissed, with costs against the State Industrial Board.
All concur.
Award reversed and claim dismissed, with costs against the State Industrial Board.