Opinion ID: 1391960
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Propriety of Summary Judgment.

Text: On the initial appeal, we held that NRS 616.560(1) exempts a co-employee from liability for tortious conduct in situations where the employer would have been liable at common law. Molino v. Asher, 95 Nev. at 36, 588 P.2d at 1035. In that previous appeal the question of common law liability had not been determined and therefore we remanded the case for further proceedings. By granting summary judgment, the district court determined that common law respondeat superior liability would attach as a matter of law to Emma Asher's employer. Furthermore, by granting the summary judgment the court determined that the claimed negligence in parking her vehicle was activity within both the course and scope of her employment. Therefore, Emma Asher would be immune from an independent suit for damages. Summary judgment is only available to resolve issues of law where the facts are not in dispute. NRCP 56(c). We must therefore determine whether summary judgment in favor of respondents was appropriate, whether in view of appellant-plaintiff's counter motion for summary judgment and the state of the record, appellant was entitled to summary judgment, or whether the issue of course and scope of employment was one for determination by the trier of fact. [2] Ordinarily, respondeat superior liability attaches only when the employee is under the control of the employer and when the act is within the scope of employment. National Convenience Stores v. Fantauzzi, 94 Nev. 655, 657-58, 584 P.2d 689, 691-92 (1978). The tortious conduct of an employee in transit to or from the place of employment will not expose the employer to liability, unless there is a special errand which requires driving. Id. at 658, 584 P.2d at 692. Here, it is undisputed that the master-servant relationship existed between appellant Molino and respondent Emma Asher as co-employees and Lynch Communications as employer. The main focus then, is upon whether the alleged tortious conduct of Emma Asher occurred within the scope of employment. The record reflects that the trial court thoroughly detailed the facts allegedly supportive of employer control over both appellant and Mrs. Asher. Nevertheless, the record is devoid of any evidence to show that either party was within the course of employment and under the control of Lynch Communications Systems at the time of the accident in question. Many courts have held, in accordance with our holding, that parking lot accidents under the coming and going rule are not sufficiently within the scope of employment to warrant respondeat superior liability. Saala v. McFarland, 63 Cal.2d 124, 45 Cal. Rptr. 144, 403 P.2d 400 (1965); McKelvy v. Barber, 381 S.W.2d 59 (Tex. 1964); Ward v. Wright, 490 S.W.2d 223 (Tex.Civ.App. 1973); Williams v. Bebbington, 247 S.C. 260, 146 S.E.2d 853 (1966). See also Rest. Agency 2d § 229 comment d. Clearly, there was no special errand or job responsibility which would have put Emma Asher in her employer's control. See National Convenience Stores v. Fantauzzi, 94 Nev. at 658, 584 P.2d at 692; Ducey v. Argo Sales Co., 25 Cal.3d 707, 159 Cal. Rptr. 835, 848, 602 P.2d 755, 768 (1979). Whether there exists a material conflict in the evidence concerning whether an employee was engaged in the scope of employment when the tortious act occurred was held to be a question of fact for jury determination. National Convenience Stores v. Fantauzzi, 94 Nev. at 659, 584 P.2d at 692; Witt v. United States, 319 F.2d 704 (9th Cir.1963). Here, however, the evidence was clear that Molino's co-employee, Mrs. Asher, would not be exempt under the common law theory of liability as the common employer could not be responsible for his employees' conduct under the respondeat superior doctrine. Molino v. Asher, 95 Nev. at 36, 588 P.2d at 1035. Accordingly we conclude, contrary to the trial court's determination and as a matter of law, that appellant is entitled to summary judgment on the issue of course and scope of employment. NRCP 56(c).