Dana Hartley v. Willie Jones and James Gordon d/b/a Alabama Injury and Pain Clinic

Dana Hartley sued Willie Jones and James Gordon d/b/a Alabama Injury and Pain Clinic on an auto negligence theory claiming that Jones was acting within the scope of his employment in June of 2006 when he failed to exercise due care in the operation of car rented by his employer and, as a direct result, she was injured in a collision between her vehicle and the one being driven by Jones. Plaintiff suffered back injuries that prevented him from returned to driving trucks for a leaving.



The vehicle being driven by Jones was rented by Gordon who was campaigning for public office. Jones drove Gordon to a political meeting. The accident occurred after Jones dropped Gordon off at the event. Both vehicles involved in the accident were totaled.



Gordon claimed that Jones was not acting as his employee at the time of the accident.

Plaintiff's verdict for $1 million.

Editor's Note: Plaintiff probably needed to successfully prove that Jones was acting within the scope of his employment with Gordon at the time of the accident in order to have an insurance policy that covered the injuries and damages sustained by him. Respondeat superior imposes liability on employers whose employees negligently harm others if they are acting within the scope and course of their employment at the time of the accident.