Bennett v. Mackinac Bridge Authority

In this workers’ compensation case, plaintiff appeals as on leave granted1 the decision of the *618Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission (WCAC) affirming the magistrate’s dismissal of his claim against defendants, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (the Authority) and American Painting Company, Inc., on the ground of res judicata. We reverse the decision of the WCAC and remand this case to the magistrate for reinstatement of plaintiffs claim against defendants2 consistent with this opinion.

I

For more than 25 years, plaintiff worked as a painter on the Mackinac Bridge. Throughout that time, he…