Morales-Simental v. Genentech, Inc., 2017 WL 4700383 (Cal. Ct. App. 2017)

Vincent Inte Ong was driving to work at Genentech when his vehicle collided with another vehicle, which resulted in the death of Marisol Morales. In this personal injury lawsuit, Morales’s survivors alleged that Ong was acting within the course and scope of his employment with Genentech at the time of the collision and that Genentech was, therefore, liable for the damages they seek. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Genentech, and the Court of Appeal affirmed, holding that Ong was going to work and was not performing a “special errand” for Genentech at the time, which exempted Genentech from vicarious liability in this matter.