Opinion ID: 853431
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Control Over the Means Used in the Results Reached

Text: As we have already indicated, although not dispositive, control is the most important factor when determining whether an employer-employee relationship exists. The contract between GKN and Starnes Trucking provides in pertinent part: The General Contractor and the Subcontractor to this Agreement have an independent contractor status in relation to each other. As an expert in its field of work, the Subcontractor has sole control over the means and methods by which his work is to be done, including all requirements for doing the work safely, and the General Contractor is not in charge of the construction, means and methods, or of the safety of the Subcontractor's work. Supp. R. at 79. In addition to this contractual language, Beaty testified during his deposition that his only direction to Magness was to give him a ticket for each load of concrete he hauled, inform him where to take each load of concrete, give him a cut off sign at the end of the day, and tell him what time to return the following morning. Supp. R. at 52-54. However, sometimes the State inspector, not Beaty, gave Magness the ticket and told him where to take the load of concrete. Supp. R. at 54, 55. Further, Beaty never met with Magness to discuss his work on the project, and he never instructed Magness how to maneuver his truck or pour the concrete. Supp. R. at 53, 55. Although GKN may have exerted some control over Magness, it did not do so concerning the means used in the results reached. In this regard, Magness' relationship with GKN was typical of that of an independent contractor. See, e.g., Mortgage Consultants, 655 N.E.2d at 495 (In contrast to employees, generally `an independent contractor controls the method and details of his task and is answerable to the principal as to results only.') (quotation omitted). Accordingly, this factor weighs heavily against a conclusion that GKN employed Magness.