Fields v. Jantec, Inc.

This is a negligence action, arising out of a workplace injury, in which we consider the personal liability of an individual in his capacity as an officer, director, and shareholder of the corporation that employed plaintiff before her injury but not at the time of her injury.

At the time the events material to our review began, Edgar C. Brown (Brown) was the sole shareholder of defendant Jantec, Inc. (Jantec). Brown also was an officer and director of Jantec. Under a franchise arrangement, Jantec operated three pizza restaurants, including Abby’s Pizza Inn in Florence (Abby’s).

In 1988,…