California Insulator Can't Sue Hirer of Indy Contractor for Negligent Hiring

SAN FRANCISCO - An insulator who sued several defendants for asbestos-related injuries may not pursue a claim for negligent hiring against a hirer of the independent contractor he works for, a California Court of Appeal has ruled. Minster v. Contadina Food, Inc., No. A089857 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist.).

Affirming summary judgment for the hirer, Contadina Food Inc., the state appeals court said plaintiff John Minster cannot pursue such a claim against Contadina because its duty to exercise reasonable care in employing an independent contractor with the skills necessary to perform the work without creating an unreasonable risk of …