Anthony Newton, Petitioner v. Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Respondents.

Summary

The court held that loaders are dangerous instrumentalities as a matter of law under Florida's dangerous instrumentality doctrine because they are self-propelled, powerful motor vehicles capable of causing serious injury and are frequently operated near the public. It also held that Newton's status as an independent contractor did not remove him from the doctrine's protection, quashed the district court's decision, and directed entry of summary judgment for Newton. No separate opinion is included in the record supplied.