Smith v. Larry Rice Construction

Ralph D. Smith appeals the denial of workers’ compensation benefits he sought on account of a construction accident that left him paralyzed. The judge of compensation claims concluded that Mr. Smith was not a covered “employee,” even though his certificate of exemption from workers’ compensation coverage had expired by the time the accident occurred. On cross appeal, too, Sunshine Companies (Sunshine), who leased employees to a subcontractor, and Compensation Benefits, Inc. (CBI), Sunshine’s workers’ compensation insurer, contend that the prime contractor, Don Stine Construction (Stine), is…