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Case Name Fernandez vs. Lawson
Date 05/13/2002
Note Reliance on license status of contractor under LC 2750.5 is factual issue for trial.
Citation 98 Cal.App.4th 388
WCC Citation WCC 28502002 CA
MIGUEL FERNANDEZ, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. TRUMAN LAWSON, JR. , et al. , Defendants and Respondents. OPINION WOODS, J. - Miguel Fernandez asks this court to reverse the judgment entered upon the trial court's order granting summary judgment for Truman W. Lawson Jr. , Gaile F. Lawson and the Truman W. Lawson Jr. and Gaile F. Lawson Trust (collectively Lawson) on Fernandez's complaint alleging, breach of California Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) regulations and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety standards relating to trimming of an approximately 50-foot tall palm tree at Lawson's private residence. With respect to the workers' compensation claim, Lawson pointed out their homeowner's insurance policy provided for workers' compensation insurance and Fernandez submitted a claim. If the jury finds Lascano misrepresented ATS's license status and Fernandez is thereby estopped from claiming he was the employee of Lawson, then Fernandez will be deemed an employee of ATS only and ATS will be treated as an independent contractor. As an independent contractor, ATS, not Lawson would be responsible for compliance with OSHA, unless Fernandez demonstrates Lawson exercised control over the details of the work.

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