Reference no: EM132273828

Employee or Independent Contractor? Between 1980 and 1988, Torres was a self-employed Gardener doing business under the name of Jose Torres Gardening Service. From 1984 to 1988, as part of his gardening business, Torres performed weekly gardening services at several homes in Torrence, California, including the Reardons' home. In early 1988, the Reardons discussed with Torres the possibility of employing him to trim a 70-foot tree in their front yard. The Reardons dictated precisely where the tree was to be cut, how much should be left, where are the trim and should be placed, how to finish the cut ends, and when the cutting should take place. The Reardons we're not at home when Torres arrived to perform the trimming. At one point, a next-door neighbor asked Torres why he did not use safety lines, and Torres responded that he did not need them. When Torres began to cut a large branch that overhung the neighbor's garage, the neighbor came out to help hold a line that will keep the branch from falling on the garage. The neighbor pulled the nine too early and Torres fell from the tree, suffering injuries. Careers filed suit against the Reardons. What was the result of this lawsuit?