Lanford v. City of Sheffield

This case presents the issue of whether a city prisoner, injured while working as a "trusty," is an employee of the city under Alabama workers' compensation law.

On September 7, 1994, Mike Lanford began serving a jail sentence imposed as a result of his conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and related misdemeanor offenses in the City of Sheffield ("City"). In addition to the jail sentence, Lanford was fined. During his incarceration, Lanford worked as a trusty. On October 20, 1994, Lanford was helping a City employee get breakfasts for other City prisoners. While carrying the…