In March 2016, Jackson, an employee of PTL, was injured during a vehicle training session with Valerie Allen, an independent contractor for PTL who owned the vehicle in question. After the accident, Jackson's medical expenses were covered by PTL's workers' compensation insurance. Subsequently, Jackson sued both PTL and Allen's estate in St. Clair County, Alabama, in February 2018, accusing them of negligence and trying to establish PTL's responsibility for Allen's actions under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
The defense argued for the case's dismissal based on the exclusive-remedy provisions of the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act. In August 2019, the trial court favored the defendants, ruling that since Jackson received workers' compensation benefits, PTL was immune from further liability and that Allen acted as an agent for PTL during the accident. Jackson appealed the decision. Upon review, while the court upheld PTL's immunity, they found that there was significant evidence to dispute whether Allen truly acted as an agent for PTL or as an independent contractor, suggesting this matter should be determined by a jury. As a result, the court reversed the decision on Allen's agent status and recommended further legal proceedings.
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