Gonzales v Mathis
In this case, we represented legendary singer Johnny Mathis. Plaintiff was a window washer who had fallen off the roof at Johnny’s home and become quadriplegic. Plaintiff had been walking on a narrow roof extension he had walked on many times before the fall and was familiar with the roof. Plaintiff had his own window washing business and had been hired to clean the skylights at the residence. He supervised the cleaning and was a paid independent contractor. Plaintiff was seeking 30 million dollars. We filed a Motion for Summary Judgement. The court granted the MSJ in favor of the defense finding no duty was owed to an independent contractor under case law cited in the moving papers. Plaintiff appealed to the California Supreme Court. The Court affirmed the lower court’s ruling granting the MSJ in favor of the defense.
