Rickenbacker v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Steele Hays, Justice.

On May 18, 1985, Don Rickenbacker, an employee of Henderson Steel Company, was injured during construction of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center at Searcy. Don Rickenbacker and his wife filed suit in White Circuit Court against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Searcy Steel Company, Inc. alleging that each was the general contractor on the job (or, alternatively, either) and therefore liable for Rickenbacker’s injuries.1 The trial court granted Wal-Mart Stores’ motion for summary judgment on the premise that Rickenbackers’ allegations arose from duties imposed by the terms of a…