Opinion ID: 1843765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: opportunity for profit or loss

Text: The next factor often utilized as an aid in determining a worker's economic dependence deals with the worker's opportunity for profit or loss. In this respect, the trial court merely found that Hageman was paid $7 per hour, and that he did as many work orders as he could per day. [7] However, the record indicates that Hageman had no real risk of suffering any loss. The expenses associated with the maintenance and general repairs were not borne by Hageman. Any reduction in Hageman's earnings would be due to a loss of wages, and not of an investment. Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor v. Lauritzen, 835 F.2d at 1536. Likewise, the only `expenditures from which [Hageman] [could] obtain a return [on] [was] [his] own labor.' Such returns are more properly' classified as wages, not profits.' By contrast `[p]rofit is the gain realized from a business over and above its [capital] expenditures.'  Brock v. Mr. W Fireworks, Inc., 814 F.2d at 1050-1051 quoting Brock v. Lauritzen, 624 F.Supp. 966, 969-970 (E.D.Wis.1985) quoting Silent Woman, Ltd. v. Donovan, 585 F.Supp. 447, 451 (E.D.Wis.1984).