Opinion ID: 2049897
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Heading: Farm Bureau's claim against Nelson.

Text: Nelson first was found to be a user of the Olson truck by virtue of his role in the joint venture and his exercise of control over the truck during the emergency. Farm Bureau does not contest that status. He was then found to be an insured because of his vicarious liability (through the joint venture) for Will's vicarious use of the truck by Duckwitz and himself. Farm Bureau contends, however, that as Will's use was merely vicarious, it is insufficient to impose liability upon Nelson for purpose of the omnibus clause. We find no merit in this contention. In Woodrich Construction Co. v. Indemnity Insurance Co., 252 Minn. 86, 89 N.W.2d 412 (1958), we said it was immaterial for insurance purposes whether or not a general contractor's liability arose from actual use of a truck. We held that the company's exercise of control over the truck was sufficient to confer coverage as a user where the negligence of an employee had been imputed to it. 252 Minn. 92, 94, 89 N.W.2d 417, 418. [6] Cf., Crawford v. Woodrich Construction Co. Inc., 239 Minn. 12, 23, 57 N.W.2d 648, 654 (1953). No reason has been advanced for the proposition that the same principle should not apply one step removed under the omnibus clause where liability for a vicarious user is imposed in turn on another party. We hold that the principle does apply and that Nelson was an additional insured. Farm Bureau could not recover against him and his award of attorneys fees was proper. [7]