Moe v. Beck

The defendant is a leasing company that leased a truck to one James Beck. The lease describes the defendant as the ‘ ‘ owner’ ’ of the truck. A worker was injured while driving the truck and brought an action against the defendant, claiming that the defendant had the responsibilities of an “owner” under ORS 654.022 (which is a part of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA)). On summary judgment, the trial court ruled against the plaintiff. The Court of Appeals reversed, stating that “because [the defendant] holds record title to the vehicle, it is the ‘owner’ as the term is defined in ORS…