Opinion ID: 1316600
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Rulings on Motions to Strike and Amend Pleadings

Text: If there was error in striking from the answer of the defendants the allegation that the plaintiff had received compensation payments in accordance with the Workmen's Compensation Act, the defendants were not prejudiced thereby. The court properly reduced the verdict by the amount which Foard would have been entitled to receive by way of subrogation on account of such payments but for the verdict that its negligence concurred with that of the defendants to cause the injury of the plaintiff. This was in accord with the provisions of G.S. § 97-10.2(e). This statute provides that the compensation paid under the Act could not properly have been shown to the jury. There was no error in denying the motion of the defendants to amend the answer so as to assert as a fifth further defense that Barnhill and CERCO were conducting the business of Foard even though Barnhill was not, at the time of the accident, the servant of Foard. As above stated, the immunity to suit granted by G.S. § 97-9 does not extend to an independent contractor, supplying equipment or performing work pursuant to a contract with the plaintiff's employer, nor does it extend to the employee of such independent contractor. Weaver v. Bennett, supra.