District of Columbia Court of Appeals April 6, 2000, 98-CV-71, 98-CV-160 (Bostic v. Henkels and McCoy, Inc.)

FARRELL, Associate Judge:

Plaintiff (Bostic) was injured when he partially fell through plywood boards that covered a trench and served as a temporary sidewalk. The trench had been dug by defendant Henkels and McCoy, Inc. (H

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& M), while performing work as an independent contractor on behalf of the Washington Gas Company.