Ask a solicitor: A contractor fell off a ladder on my farm

While, in most cases, it would be perfectly clear whether a person is an employee, this is not always so, writes solicitor Karen Walsh.

While, in most cases, it would be perfectly clear whether a person is an employee, this is not always so, writes solicitor Karen Walsh.

Dear Karen, 

I employed a contractor to build a shed on my farm. Unfortunately, he fell off a ladder during the construction and injured himself, but I am shocked that he is now claiming that he was an employee and that I owed him a duty of care.