Mathis v. Rees
Mathis v. Rees
Opinion of the Court
This matter is before the court on the return of a rule to show cause why a writ of certiorari should not issue to review a determination of the Court of Common Pleas of Camden county, on appeal thereto from a determination of the deputy commissioner of labor in a workman’s compensation case.
It is conceded that the respondent Mathis was injured by accident in the course of his work as an automobile mechanic on September 2d, 1931, and that, in consequence of such injury, his right leg was amputated. The sole question raised by the reasons filed is that the testimony showed that defendant was not an employe of the prosecutor, but that defendant and prosecutor were partners in the conduct of the business, in the course of which defendant suffered his injuries.
The prosecutor, Bees, and the defendant, Mathis, both testified without equivocation that Mathis was at all times an emplojre of Bees, and that, at no time, was there a partnership relation. The business was conducted under' the name
There can be no doubt that as between prosecutor and defendant there was no partnership, and that Mathis was an employe of Rees. We think that prosecutor’s testimony does not suffice to overthrow this conclusion. If any false impression was created by the use of Mathis’ name in the manner stated, Rees cannot avail himself of it, and we are not dealing with a question of Mathis’ liability to some-person who may have extended credit on the strength of Mathis’ name as a partner, or other liability claimed to have been assumed by Mathis by reason of the use of his name. We are concerned only with the relationship between Mathis and Rees.
The insurance carrier asserts that as to it the conduct of Mathis creates an estoppel, and that having created the impression that he was a partner he cannot now be heard to
The rule to show cause is discharged, with costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.