Privette Doctrine Didn't Shield Hirer of Independent Contractor from Liability to Injured Driver

A California appellate court ruled that the Privette doctrine does not render an employer that contracts with an independent contractor wholly immune from being found vicariously liable to an individual employed by the independent contractor. Case: Vargas v. FMI, No. B246660, 01/23/2015, partially published. Facts: FMI is a federally licensed motor carrier that operates a shipping distribution center in San Pedro, California. It arranges transportation of goods for its customers by hiring contractors who lease their tractors and drivers to FMI. In January 2010, FMI leased a truck from Eves ...