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Garrity v. Overland Sheepskin Co.5/29/1996
Frost, Chief Justice.
{1} This appeal involves what are essentially two separate claims arising out of a similar employment background. The first claim is by Joan Garrity and her daughter Dawn Garrity Wood (the Garritys) against Overland Outfitters, Inc. (Overland Outfitters), for wrongful discharge and breach of contract. The second claim is a personal injury suit brought by Joan Garrity's son Troy Garrity (Troy) against Overland Sheepskin Company of Taos, Inc. (Overland Sheepskin). We will address both these claims in turn.
I. FACTS
{2} Overland Sheepskin is a corporation owned by James and Leslie Leahy that controls and operates a chain of retail stores selling sheepskin coats, animal pelts, clothing, and various other leather and fur products. Joan, Dawn, and Troy all worked as sales staff in Overland Sheepskin's Santa Fe store. On February 28, 1991, Overland Sheepskin sold its Santa Fe store to Overland Outfitters, a national retail organization. Overland Outfitters continued to operate the Santa Fe store in the same manner as Overland Sheepskin had done. As part of the sales agreement, James Leahy, who owned the building that houses the Santa Fe store, agreed to lease the property to Overland Outfitters.
A. The Garritys' Claim
{3} Shortly after Overland Outfitters purchased the Santa Fe store in February 1991, it brought in Bruce Davis as the new store manager. Davis retained the Garritys as sales staff for Overland Outfitters and raised their pay. The Garritys allege that they noticed Davis exhibiting unusual behavior shortly after he began working at the Santa Fe store. They allege that he would frequently retire to a room in the back of the store, which he used as his apartment, and when he emerged he acted aggressively and erratically. They also allege that, on one occasion, Troy's friend looked through a partially opened office door and observed Davis sniffing a white powdery substance. Shortly following this incident, Joan Garrity phoned Leslie Leahy, who was acting as the Santa Fe contact for Overland Outfitters, and reported her suspicions that Davis was using illegal drugs. Leslie Leahy agreed to notify the owner of Overland Outfitters. One week later, on April 4, 1991, Davis fired the Garritys. The Garritys then sued for breach of employment contract and wrongful discharge. After the Garritys presented their case in chief, the trial court granted Overland Outfitters' motion for a directed verdict.
B. Troy's Claim
{4} Troy alleges that, after the February sale of the Santa Fe store to Overland Outfitters, James Leahy continued to ship truckloads of exotic animal pelts from Overland Sheepskin's warehouse in Taos to the Santa Fe store. Troy was responsible for loading, unloading, and inventorying many of these shipments. Troy states that one of these shipments included a decomposing bear pelt, which he was instructed to return to Taos.
{5} Troy contends that on approximately March 18, 1991, he contracted a debilitating illness. In April 1991 Overland Outfitters fired Troy. About one year later, Troy learned from an infectious disease specialist that he had likely contracted chronic brucellosis. Brucellosis is a rare, incurable, bacterial disease endemic among wild animals and domesticated sheep. The disease is not contagious between humans, but humans can contract the disease from direct exposure to the blood or tissue of infected animals. The specialist indicated that Troy had probably contracted the disease from handling the animal pelts.
{6} Troy filed a complaint with the Workers' Compensation Division against Overland Outfitters, his employer at the time he alleged that he co
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