Privette Doctrine Shields Company From Liability to Subcontractor's Injured Employee

A California appellate court upheld a grant of summary judgment to the general contractor for a construction project, finding that the Privette doctrine shielded it from liability to a subcontractor’s injured employee. Balfour Beatty Construction Co. was the general contractor for the construction of a 42-story residential building in downtown San Francisco. Balfour contracted with J&J Acoustics Inc. to perform framing, drywall, plaster and insulation work for the project. Victor M. Elizondo was a journeyman J&J employee. The company provided an aluminum workbench for Eliz...