California Court Says Control Over Work Triggers Joint Liability

A California appeals court reversed and remanded a judgment over a security company worker’s firing, saying his joint employer allegations were strong enough to hold other entities potentially liable.

The ruling stems from the case of Samuel L. Bernal, who was fired from Evolv Integrated Technologies Group Inc. He sued Evolv, KBLED Inc., All-In Energy Group LLC, Inesa International Corp., Feilo International Trade Co. Ltd., and Kenneth Bruce Shaevel after he was fired, saying all the entities were his joint employers.

The fact that Shaevel and KBLED allegedly influenced Bernal’s work is enough to claim the entities are liable as ...