Opinion ID: 1952376
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Material Factual Dispute Servant or Independent Contractor

Text: Townsends argues that Reid was not its servant. First, Townsends submits that Reid executed a written Catching Crew Agreement prior to the accident that injured Fisher. That agreement recited that Reid was an independent contractor. Second, Townsends asserts that it did not have or exercise the right to control the precise manner in which Townsends carried out his duties as a weighmaster. According to Townsends, Reid was in business for himself. Thus, Townsends submits that it is not answerable to Fisher for Reid's negligence. The intent of the parties is a relevant sub-factor in determining the right of control. See Loden v. Getty Oil Co., Del.Super., 316 A.2d 214, 217, aff'd, Del.Supr., 326 A.2d 868 (1974). In determining a worker's status, the formal contract between the parties may not indicate the relationship which existed in actual practice between the parties. Id. Therefore, the label by which parties to a relationship designate themselves is not controlling. Singleton v. International Dairy Queen, Inc., Del.Super., 332 A.2d 160, 163 (1975); see Loden v. Getty Oil Co., 316 A.2d at 217. It is the actions taken by the parties, not the terms used in the contract, that are dispositive in determining whether they were principal and agent respectively. The record reflects that Townsends supplied Reid with Daily Movement Sheets that identified the farm where the day's work was to be done; the total number of birds to be removed; the number of birds to be placed in each cage hold; which crew was assigned to the job; and the time that the crew was to report. Townsends owned and supplied the trucks, forklifts, cages, and stools that were used when the chickens were caught, as well as the paper masks and disposable gloves worn by the catchers. Townsends' Live Haul Manager visited the farms periodically to see if the weighmasters, Townsends' truck drivers, or forklift operators were experiencing problems. Townsends required its Weighmasters to keep two way radios in the vehicles they used to transport their crews. Townsends supplied Reid with radios for both of his transport vehicles. These radios permitted Townsends to keep its weighmasters advised of changes in work sites and work orders. The radios also enabled the weighmasters to communicate with Townsends' processing plant, truck drivers, and forklift operators regarding any work-related problems. The foregoing evidence, when taken into consideration with the exclusive and longstanding nature of Reid's relationship with Townsends, created a material dispute of fact about whether Reid was Townsends' servant or an independent contractor. That determination must be made by the jury. See Billops v. Magness Constr. Co., Del.Supr., 391 A.2d 196, 198 (1978); Mechell v. Palmer, Del.Supr., 343 A.2d 620, 621-22 (1975); see also Sussex County v. Morris, Del.Supr., 610 A.2d 1354, 1360 (1992); Gooden v. Mitchell, Del.Super., 21 A.2d 197, 201 (1941). Upon remand, the Superior Court should instruct the jury to decide the question of whether Reid was Townsends' servant or an independent contractor, by specifically considering the non-exclusive matters of fact set forth in Section 220 of the Restatement (Second) of Agency. See White v. Gulf Oil Corp., 406 A.2d at 51; Billops v. Magness Constr. Co., Del.Supr., 391 A.2d 196, 198 (1978).