Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Sep 27, 2022
Sarah Channel, Lauren Channel, Mary Channel vs. Stephen Walker, Individually
Sarah, Lauren, and Mary Channel appealed the circuit court's summary judgment in favor of Stephen Walker in their wrongful death action. They alleged Walker, a co-employee and manager, intentionally and negligently caused Thomas Channel's heat-related death by failing to follow heat stress protocols and assigning him to a long route in a truck without air conditioning. The appellate court affirmed, holding that Walker's alleged actions were encompassed within the employer's nondelegable duty to provide a safe workplace and did not constitute a breach of an independent duty of care.