Leghart v. Schuler Painting, Inc.

Summary

The Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Schuler Painting, Inc. and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in a dispute over workers’ compensation eligibility. The court held that Robert A. Leghart was an independent contractor rather than an employee at the time of his injury and failed to establish a genuine issue of material fact.

Holdings

1. Under Ohio's right-to-control test, Leghart was an independent contractor rather than an employee of Schuler Painting when he was injured.
2. Summary judgment was proper because, after defendants met their initial burden, Leghart failed to identify specific, corroborated facts showing a genuine issue of material fact regarding his employment status.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court properly granted summary judgment when the evidence showed that Leghart was an independent contractor rather than an employee of Schuler Painting at the time of his injury.
2. Whether Leghart presented specific facts establishing a genuine issue of material fact concerning his employment status.

Disposition

affirmed