Byrd sought damages for injuries allegedly caused by Blue Ridge's negligence. At issue was South Carolina's Workmen's Compensation Act that held that the employees of subcontractors are considered employees of the contractor for the purposes of the Act if, but only if, they perform work that is part of the contractor's trade or business.
Byrd sought compensation for injuries allegedly caused by Blue Ridge's negligence. The legal question was South Carolina's Workmen's Compensation Act, which determined whether subcontractors' employees were considered employees of the contractor under the Act based on their work being part of the contractor's business or trade.