Barrs v. Acree

Mikell, Judge.

Earl Barrs brought this negligence action against Russell Aeree and Acree’s brother-in-law, Wesley Hall,1 for property damage stemming from an incident on August 8, 2002, when a fire set on land adjacent to Barrs’s burned out of control. Barrs alleged that Aeree was liable for Hall’s negligent acts under the principle of respondeat superior, because Hall was either his employee or agent when the acts occurred. Aeree moved for summary judgment, contending that Aeree Investments, Ltd. (“Aeree Investments”), owned the land and also employed Hall. The trial court granted Acree’s…