Court Opinion

ID: 9666292
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 01:10:18.680624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:26.193598
License: Public Domain

SCHLEGEL, Judge
(specially concurring)
I would hold that the trial court erred by granting defendant’s motion for a directed verdict on the issue of master-servant relationship. As recently as the case of Parks v. Firgard, 163 N.W.2d 385, 389 (Iowa 1968), and as long ago as the case of Ganzhorn v. Reep, 234 Iowa 495, 498-99, 12 N.W.2d 154, 156 (1944), the Iowa Supreme Court has recognized that a master-servant relationship may arise when farmers have a custom of exchanging services, even when there is no specific arrangement for pay. When such a custom exists, the jury may draw the conclusion that the right to exercise control of the work exists. See Ganzhom, 234 Iowa at 499, 12 N.W.2d at 156. Cf Duffy v. Harden, 179 N.W.2d 496, 503 (Iowa 1970) (owners right to control activities of one providing services gratuitously “can hardly be doubted,” and the person rendering such services may be a servant of the one accepting the services). Because the supreme court has never expressly, nor do I believe impliedly, overruled the doctrine stated in those cases, I must conclude the trial court erred in granting a directed verdict on the grounds stated. The evidence on this issue was sufficient to create a jury question.
I concur in the result, however, because I believe the error was harmless. The defendant’s duty, as the possessor of land, to his invitee was submitted to the jury. That duty is not any less than a master’s duty to his servant. Compare Uniform Jury Instruction No. 22.3 with No. 11.2. Therefore, plaintiff was not prejudiced by the error.
OXBERGER, C.J., joins this special concurrence.