Privette Protects Homeowner When Insurer Hires Contractor

A California appeals court on Wednesday held that the Privette doctrine extends to a homeowner whose insurance company hired an independent contractor who was injured while inspecting a house for potential hazards. Although Kathleen Wagner didn't directly hire Robert Andrews, the presumption that a person hiring an independent contractor has delegated control over all aspects of the work, including workplace safety, nonetheless applies because her insurer had effectively hired the inspector on her behalf, the 6th District Court of Appeal said. "By paying her insurance carrier for in...