Garza, Jose v. Exel Logistics, Inc., and Interim Services Pacific, LLC
Jose Garza sued Interim Services Pacific, L.L.C. and Excel Logistics, Inc. for on-the-job injuries. The defendants successfully moved for summary judgment, arguing they were joint employers and Garza's exclusive remedy was worker's compensation benefits. On appeal, Garza challenged the summary judgment, contending there was a material issue of fact regarding the joint employer status and whether he was a "covered employee" for Excel. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, concluding that both Interim and Excel shared the right to control Garza's work, making them co-employers. Furthermore, the court found that Excel had effectively provided worker's compensation coverage for Garza through its contractual arrangement with Interim, thus extending the exclusive remedy provision to Excel.