Allen v. Garden Orchards, Inc

I respectfully dissent. The lead opinion reasons from an assumption that the dispositive issue in this case is whether the decedent’s status as an employee was "adjudicated” in the earlier redemption proceeding. Finding no adjudication, the opinion concludes that estoppel could not apply. I do not agree.

i

As this Court said in Hassberger v General *435Builders’ Supply Co, 213 Mich 489, 492; 182 NW 27 (1921), the doctrine of estoppel " 'has its origin in moral duty and public policy; and its chief purpose is the promotion of common honesty, and the prevention of fraud.’ ” For purposes of this…