Cocke & Braden v. Ayer
The case concerns Ewell J. Ayer, who suffered personal injuries after being struck by a truck driven by Ed Foran. Ayer secured a judgment for $19,000 against Foran and his employers, Cocke & Braden. The Court of Civil Appeals, Seventh District, certified questions to the Commission of Appeals, Section A, primarily asking whether Foran was an independent contractor. The opinion details the contractual agreement and testimony regarding Cocke & Braden's control over Foran's work. After reviewing the facts and applicable precedents, the Commission of Appeals affirmed that Foran was, as a matter of law, an independent contractor. This decision rendered a second certified question immaterial.