Buerkle v. Montana Power Company

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE JAMES T. HARRISON

delivered the Opinion of the Court.

The district court of Blaine County granted a motion for summary judgment for the defendant, Montana Power Company, and plaintiff, LeRoy G. Buerkle, appealed.

Plaintiff was employed as a lineman by Duty & Jones Construction Company at Havre, Montana. Duty & Jones had a contractual agreement with the defendant for the construction, of electrical lines and facilities which specifically designated Duty & Jones as an independent contractor and specifically-required Duty & Jones to carry workmen’s compensation insurance for its…