Eagen v. K. & A. Truck Lines, Inc.

119 N.W.2d 805, 254 Iowa 914, 1963 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 649
CourtSupreme Court of Iowa
DecidedFebruary 12, 1963
Docket50862
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 119 N.W.2d 805 (Eagen v. K. & A. Truck Lines, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Eagen v. K. & A. Truck Lines, Inc., 119 N.W.2d 805, 254 Iowa 914, 1963 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 649 (iowa 1963).

Opinion

Moore, J.

— This action involves the claim filed by Nancy Eagen, widow • of Bernard L. Eagen, for benefits- under' the Workmen’s Compensation law as a result of his death near Denison on July 11,-1960, while driving a.truck owned by his brother Harold Eagen and leased to defendant K & A Truck Lines, Inc.

The only disputed- issue before the deputy industrial commissioner as sole arbitrator and the commissioner upon review was whether claimant’s ■ decedent was, at the time of his fatal injury, an employee of'defendant. Both the deputy-and the commissioner found he was not an employee of K & A Truck Lines, Inc., but an employee of his brother. Harold. Compensation was denied. The district court held there was sufficient competent evidence to warrant the commissioner’s decision and affirmed it. Claimant has appealed. We agree with the district court.

I. Before referring to the record it seems desirable we call attention to the functions of the industrial commissioner and the court in this and like eases. -Section 86.29, Codes 1958, 1962, in part provides, “In the absence of fraud the findings of fact made by the industrial commissioner within his powers, shall be conclusive” on appeal, Section 86.30 insofar as here applicable provides any decision of the commissioner “may be modified, reversed, or set aside .on one or more of the following grounds and on no other: -*-*'■'* 3. If the facts found by-the -commissioner do not support the order- or decree. 4. If there is not sufficient competent evidence * * * to warrant * * * the order *916 or decision.” No claim is made here of fraud or that the commissioner acted without or in excess of his powers.

We have repeatedly and consistently construed these provisions as making the commissioner’s findings of fact conclusive where the evidence is in dispute or reasonable minds may differ on the inferences fairly to be drawn from the facts. Such findings have the same standing as a jury verdict. Taylor v. Horning, 240 Iowa 888, 38 N.W.2d 105; Bocian v. Armour & Co., 244 Iowa 304, 56 N.W.2d 900; Hassebroch v. Weaver Construction Co., 246 Iowa 622, 67 N.W.2d 549; Elliott v. Wilkinson, 248 Iowa 667, 81 N.W.2d 925; Martin v. Skelly Oil Co., 252 Iowa 128, 106 N.W.2d 95; Daggett v. Nebraska-Eastern Exp. Inc., 252 Iowa 341, 107 N.W.2d 102; Ziegler v. United States Gypsum Co., 252 Iowa 613, 106 N.W.2d 591.

It is not the court but the commissioner who weighs the evidence. Yergey v. Montgomery Ward & Co., 239 Iowa 258, 30 N.W.2d 153; Daggett and Ziegler cases, both supra. It is the court’s duty to examine the evidence to determine whether it is sufficient to support the factual conclusion of the commissioner. Bocian v. Armour & Co., Hassebroch v. Weaver Construction Co., Ziegler v. United States Gypsum Co., all supra.

II. “Employee” as used in connection with the Workmen’s Compensation Act, chapters 85, 86, Codes 1958, 1962, is defined by section 85.61(2) as “a person who has entered into the employment of, or works under contract of service, express or implied, or apprenticeship, for an employer,” with certain exceptions not here applicable. Claimant, if she is to recover, has the burden of showing such a contractual relationship with defendant. Knudson v. Jackson, 191 Iowa 947, 183 N.W. 391; Oswalt v. Lucas County, 222 Iowa 1099, 270 N.W. 847, Muscatine City Water Works v. Duge, 232 Iowa 1076, 7 N.W.2d 203; Elliott v. Wilkinson, supra.

III. The testimony is in conflict in some regards but not to a great extent. K and A Truck Lines, Inc. (hereinafter called K & A) held certain Interstate Commerce Commission rights and was at all times pertinent to this ease doing business as an interstate carrier. On March 30, 1960, K & A entered into a written vehicle lease and contract with Harold Earl Eagen *917 (claimant’s Exhibit B) for his 1958 IHC truck-tractor. The agreement was for a five-year period subject to sixty-day cancellation by either party.

Some of the provisions of Exhibit B are:

“4. Lessee agrees to pay Lessor for the use of the equipment and the services of the driver in this lease an amount equal to Sixty-two and one-half percent (62%%) of the gross transportation revenue received by Lessee on all shipments transported by the vehicle, equipment and driver. Lessee retains the right to deduct from such pay the costs chargeable to the Lessor under the terms of this agreement and the pay period shall be semi-monthly with one pay period withheld in advance. * * *”
“7. The Lessor certifies that the equipment is delivered to Lessee in good running order and agrees to maintain the equipment at a roadworthy level as established by Lessee, furnishing all necessary oil, gasoline, tires, licenses, repairs, and to pay all other expenses incident to such operation. All expenses incurred by Lessee on behalf of Lessor as required herein shall be deducted from the payment agreed to in paragraph 4.”
. “10. Except as otherwise provided, Lessor agrees to drive the vehicle equipment personally. Lessor further agrees to comply with the standards of driver conduct established by Lessee as follows: * *
“13. The Lessor is a self-employed independent contractor and any substitute driver will be employed by and responsible to Lessor. An insurance policy to cover the Lessor and/or his driver must be filed with the Lessee, showing coverage equivalent to the State requirements on compensation insurance. If at any time it is necessary or desirable for Lessor or his substitute driver to become a union member, the Lessor as an independent contractor will be responsible for paying the union dues, initiation fees, health and welfare, and pension fund payments whether paid direct or deducted from Lessor’s truck earnings, and paid on his behalf by the company.” ■

On the date the contract was signed Bernard L. Eagen was present and the parties agreed Bernard would be the driver of the truck. At that time Harold and Bernard each filed with K & A an application for employment. Bernard later took a *918 physical examination. Testimony for defendant stated this was an I. C. C. requirement. Thereafter Bernard was the only driver of the truck which pulled K & A trailers in hauling cargo consigned to K & A. Bernard took all his orders from officials of K & A. On July 11, 1960, he left Bettendorf driving his brother’s truck-tractor, pulling a K & A trailer loaded with heavy machinery. He drove to Fort Dodge as instructed where he executed the necessary documents to acquire the right of Hove Truck Lines.

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Bluebook (online)
119 N.W.2d 805, 254 Iowa 914, 1963 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 649, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/eagen-v-k-a-truck-lines-inc-iowa-1963.