Opinion ID: 1135943
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Troy's Claim

Text: 4. Troy alleges that, after the February sale of the Santa Fe store to Overland Outfitters, James Leahy continued to ship truckloads of exotic animal pelts from Overland Sheepskin's warehouse in Taos to the Santa Fe store. Troy was responsible for loading, unloading, and inventorying many of these shipments. Troy states that one of these shipments included a decomposing bear pelt, which he was instructed to return to Taos. 5. Troy contends that on approximately March 18, 1991, he contracted a debilitating illness. In April 1991 Overland Outfitters fired Troy. About one year later, Troy learned from an infectious disease specialist that he had likely contracted chronic brucellosis. Brucellosis is a rare, incurable, bacterial disease endemic among wild animals and domesticated sheep. The disease is not contagious between humans, but humans can contract the disease from direct exposure to the blood or tissue of infected animals. The specialist indicated that Troy had probably contracted the disease from handling the animal pelts. 6. Troy filed a complaint with the Workers' Compensation Division against Overland Outfitters, his employer at the time he alleged that he contracted the disease. Troy settled his workers' compensation claim against Overland Outfitters for $50,000. As part of the settlement, the parties executed a release that applied directly to Overland Outfitters, but also included Overland Sheepskin, Troy's former employer, as a predecessor in interest of Overland Outfitters. Troy then sued Overland Sheepskin as supplier and consignor of the suspectedly diseased pelts and James Leahy in his role of landlord of the premises. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Overland Sheepskin, holding that Troy released his claim against Overland Sheepskin when he released Overland Outfitters. [2] 7. The Garritys and Troy appeal from the trial court's judgments. We affirm the trial court as to the Garritys' claims and reverse and remand as to Troy's personal injury claim.