Split Supreme Court Rules Injured Worker Can't Maintain Suit Against General Contractor

A divided South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that a construction worker could not maintain a negligence claim against the general contractor responsible for the project on which he was injured. JM Custom Homes served as the general contractor for a home construction project in Rapid City. JM subcontracted with Pine Tree Plumbing to complete the plumbing work on the home. Douglas Ries worked for Pine Tree. Ries was injured in the home when he fell through an unanchored plywood stair leading from the main level to the basement. Ries filed a workers' compensation claim against Pine...