Gerdon v. Rydalch
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This appeal involved a negligence claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident. Appellant Joseph Gerdon was a passenger in an automobile, traveling with Respondent Joshua Rydalch when the vehicle veered off the road and went down an embankment. At the time of the accident, both Gerdon and Rydalch were employees of Con Paulos Chevrolet, Inc., and were transporting a vehicle for their employer. Gerdon and Rydalch were injured during the accident, and both parties received workers' compensation benefits for a work-related injury. Gerdon also filed a Complaint against Rydalch for negligent driving. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Rydalch, finding that both Gerdon and Rydalch were acting in the course and scope of their employment during the accident. As a result, the district court held that Gerdon's claim of negligence was barred by the exclusive remedy rule under Idaho’s Workers' Compensation statutes. Gerdon appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the district court erred in holding that Rydalch was acting in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident, and that the court abused its discretion by striking a portion of Gerdon's affidavit. Upon review, the Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Rydalch because the Court found he was acting in the course of employment when the accident occurred, and therefore, Gerdon's claim of negligence was indeed barred by the exclusive remedy rule. Furthermore, the Court found that the district court did not abuse its discretion in striking a portion of Gerdon's affidavit.
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