Privette Doctrine Shields Cheese Manufacturer From Liability for Delivery Driver's Injuries

A California appellate court upheld the dismissal of a dairy delivery driver’s tort claims against a cheese manufacturer, finding the Privette doctrine shielded the company from liability. Hilmar Cheese Co. contracts with various dairies in the Central Valley for the delivery of milk and milk ingredients for its cheese production. The dairies contract with independent milk hauling companies to pick up and deliver the milk and ingredients to Hilmar. Morris Farms Transport is one of the haulers that makes daily deliveries to Hilmar from 18 dairies. The drivers are employees of the hauli...