Opinion ID: 1431706
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Anderson's Operator

Text: Anderson's negligence allegation is further weakened when we review the propriety of the trial court's finding that the crane operator was Anderson's employee under the written contract and that he was under Anderson's control at the time the crane was damaged. While Anderson asserts that Mills was under Certified's control when the crane was damaged, it admits in its brief that it agreed to accept Certified's crane operator under the contract. The trial court accepted Chick's testimony concerning LaVelle's telephone call to Chick shortly after work began, asking if a different person could operate the crane. LaVelle did not complain about Mill's competence to operate the crane. When Chick expressed a preference for having Mills operate the crane, LaVelle agreed and the conversation ended amicably. LaVelle also did not complain about Mills in writing. Based on this evidence the trial court found that Mills was controlled by Anderson when the crane was damaged. By arguing questions of control, Anderson is trying to relitigate a factual issue that was properly decided at trial. Anderson has not shown an abuse of trial court discretion underlying this finding, and we defer to the trial court in that circumstance.