Hearn v. Petra International Corp.

BRIGHTMIRE, Presiding Judge.

The question here is whether an employee of a wholly owned subsidiary corporation may maintain a common law negligence action against the parent company for injuries said to be caused by the parent’s malfeasance. The trial court concluded he could not and sustained defendant’s motion for summary judgment. 1 We hold, however, he can maintain the action and vacate the order appealed.

I

Steve Hearn was employed by Arden Drilling Company — operator of an oil well near Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is alleged that on December 18, 1982, Petra International Corporation delivered…