Demetres v. East West Construction, Inc.
995 F. Supp. 2d 539
E.D. Va.2014Background
- Plaintiff Demetres, NC resident, sues East West Construction in diversity for damages from a 2011 Virginia Beach accident.
- Ashland Construction, NC company, employed Demetres and assigned him to supervise CVS construction in Virginia Beach.
- East West, VA corporation, was hired to prepare the site and operate heavy equipment; a bulldozer incident injures Demetres.
- Demetres received North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits for his employer after the accident.
- Plaintiff filed this suit on March 27, 2013 seeking $100,000,000 in damages.
- Defendant moves to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1) asserting VWCA exclusivity bars the claim.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does VWCA exclusivity bar the tort claim? | Garcia does not apply; exclusive remedy not triggered if VWCA coverage is not accepted. | VWCA exclusivity bars claims against statutory employers and co-employees for injuries in Virginia. | Yes; VWCA exclusivity bars the tort claim. |
| Has the plaintiff shown VWCA acceptance or coverage despite NC benefits? | Ashland compensated under NC law, so VWCA may not apply. | Out-of-state residents may be covered; VWCA applies when injury occurs in Virginia and the worker is in the statutory scheme. | VWCA coverage applies; out-of-state injury and statutory-employer/co-employee status invoke exclusivity. |
| Is the defendant a 'statutory employer' under VWCA at the time of injury? | Not a statutory employer; mere supplier status. | Defendant was engaged in Ashland’s trade/occupation by preparing the site, not a mere supplier. | Yes; defendant was a statutory employer (or engaged in the same trade) rendering exclusivity applicable. |
| Does Garcia pre-1991 VWCA language affect this case? | Garcia relies on pre-1991 language; not controlling. | Substantively same protections; Garcia governs. | Garcia applies; pre-1991 version is substantially the same. |
Key Cases Cited
- Garcia v. Pittsylvania Cnty. Serv. Auth., 845 F.2d 465 (4th Cir. 1988) (VWCA exclusivity bars out-of-state injuries in Virginia)
- McCann v. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., 177 F. Supp. 909 (E.D. Va. 1959) (Virginia law on VWCA exclusivity and Virginia resident injury)
- Bosher v. Jamerson, 207 Va. 539, 151 S.E.2d 375 (Va. 1966) (sand spreading as part of contractor’s trade; exclusivity applies)
- Pfeifer v. Krauss Const. Co. of Virginia, Inc., 262 Va. 262, 546 S.E.2d 717 (Va. 2001) (structural analysis of 'statutory employer' concept)
- Napper v. ABM Janitorial Servs.-Mid Atl., Inc., 284 Va. 55, 726 S.E.2d 313 (Va. 2012) ('Stranger to the work' test for VWCA applicability)
- Whalen v. Dean Steel Erection Co., 229 Va. 164, 327 S.E.2d 102 (Va. 1985) (stranger to the work theory in VWCA context)
- Stone v. Door-Man Mfg. Co., 260 Va. 406, 537 S.E.2d 305 (Va. 2000) (application of stranger-to-the-work test)