Spell v. ConAgra, Inc.

This appeal concerns the imputation of liability to a defendant depending upon the status of other defendants as independent contractors or as agents or employees of the first defendant. Debra Spell brought an action against ConAgra, Inc., Billy Ray Sharpton, and Leroy Arrington, based on the alleged wrongful death of her minor son, Shannon. The trial court entered summary judgment for ConAgra and made that judgment final pursuant to Rule 54(b), Ala.R.Civ.P., and Spell appeals.

Sharpton owned and operated a chicken farm. As part of his chicken farming activities, Sharpton would take in young…