Hentges v. Thomford

OPINION

LANSING, Judge.

On appeal from the denial of alternative motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial, a church’s insurer disputes the legal and factual adequacy of the evidence to establish vicarious liability. The jury found that the church’s pastor was acting within the scope of his employment when he accidentally shot and killed a hunting companion who was a church parishioner. We reverse the denial of JNOV.

FACTS

Church Mutual Insurance Company provided general comprehensive liability insurance coverage to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and its pastor, Joel…