Opinion ID: 1399462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Denial of Motions to Dismiss and to Strike Briefs

Text: For his final point on appeal, Mr. Johnson maintains that the Commission and the ALJ erroneously denied his motions to dismiss Bonds Brothers, Inc. and to strike its briefs. He contends that Bonds Brothers, Inc. had no interest in the litigation and that merely because it owned stock in Bonds Fertilizer, Inc. did not entitle it to appear as a party. Bonds maintains that the ALJ and the Commission acted within their discretion by denying Mr. Johnson's motions to ensure a full adjudication of all issues properly before the Commission. Following the ALJ's order of January 10, 2007, but prior to its order of December 6, 2007, the Commission issued a separate order in which it denied Mr. Johnson's motions to dismiss and to strike. We hold that the Commission did not err in doing so. In the affidavit of Kenny Bonds, which is a part of the record and was before the Commission, Mr. Bonds stated that Bonds Brothers, Inc. is the sole shareholder of Bonds Fertilizer, Inc. Bonds Brothers, Inc. owns all of the equipment, including vehicles, used by Bonds Fertilizer, Inc. and Bonds Brothers Trust. Bonds Brothers Trust, a partnership of Kenny M. Bonds, Jr., Bryan A. Bonds Trust, and Bonds Brothers, Inc., is the operating entity for the farming operation as required by Farm Service Agency. Moreover, Mr. Johnson, at the time he originally filed his suit in Jefferson County Circuit Court, saw fit to bring suit against Bonds Brothers, Inc., as well as Bonds Fertilizer. Following Mr. Johnson's appeal of the circuit court's order in Johnson I , we determined that the Commission had exclusive, original jurisdiction to determine whether Mr. Johnson's injuries were covered by the Workers' Compensation Act and that for which employer Mr. Johnson was working at the time of the accident was an issue of fact for the Commission to resolve. To resolve that issue of fact, the Commission determined that the participation of Bonds Brothers, Inc. was necessary as Bonds Brothers, Inc. [was] and continue[d] to be a necessary party in the matter. We, therefore, cannot say that the Commission's decision was erroneous. Accordingly, we affirm the Commission on this point as well. Affirmed.