The appellant was severely injured while exercising a horse at a racetrack.
His worker's compensation claim was denied because the trainer who hired him failed to maintain coverage as required by the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing.
The appellant sued the trainer, the Ontario Racing Commission, and the racetrack owner for negligence.
The trial judge found only the trainer liable.
On appeal, the Court of Appeal affirmed that neither the Commission nor the racetrack owner owed a private law duty of care to the appellant to ensure compliance with the rules, as their statutory mandates were to serve the public interest rather than private individuals.
