Murray International Freight Corp. v. Graham

ADKINS, Judge.

This case presents the question whether petitioner, Murray International Freight Corporation (Murray International), is collaterally estopped from relitigating a Workmen’s Compensation Commission’s (Commission) determination of the employment status of respondent, Thomas E. Graham (Graham). We shall hold that on the facts of this case the collateral estoppel doctrine is inapplicable for two reasons. First, issue preclusion does not apply, since the fact-finding sought to be relitigated was not essential to the Commission’s decision. Second, the doctrine is not available because…