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Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers Wins Key Supreme Judicial Court Case Brought by Taxi Drivers

Friday, April 24, 2015

Court rules that drivers are independent contractors, not employees

Boston, MA (April 21, 2015):   Attorneys from the Boston law firm of Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, PC have successfully argued against a move to have Boston taxi drivers reclassified as employees, instead of independent contractors. The case, Bernard Sebago & Others vs. Boston Cab Dispatch, Inc. & Others, was heard by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which handed down the decision in favor of the defendants today.

The case was a consolidation of cases brought by four Boston taxi drivers against several Boston taxi companies, radio dispatch companies, and a taxi garage. The drivers contended that they were employees of the defendants but were misclassified as independent contractors, thus being denied minimum wages, overtime pay, tips and other protections. Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, along with two other law firms, argued the case on behalf of the taxi companies and dispatch companies.

“The court was very clear in its analysis of the drivers’ status under Rule 403, which governs the operation of taxicabs in the City of Boston,” said Attorney Al DeNapoli of Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, who argued the case. “The court examined both Rule 403 and the state’s independent contractor statute and concluded the plaintiffs were not employees of the defendants. They are lessees who operate taxicabs free from the control and direction of the lessor companies.”

About Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, PC
Founded in 1991, Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is a full service law firm with offices at?101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. The firm specializes in, corporate law, estate planning, real estate, taxation, litigation, family law and hospitality law with a focus on serving closely held companies and family businesses. For additional information visit? www.tbhr-law.com, or call (617) 218-2000.


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