Justices Reject 'Unduly Rigid' Standard at Job Sites

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused to apply an "unduly rigid standard" in determining the duty construction managers owe to employees of contractors. The justices instead "acknowledge that a construction manager's duty is defined by the intent of the contracting parties as reflected by their contractual designation of responsibilities," Justice Max Baer wrote in a workplace fatality case. "Under the relevant contract language, we conclude that (employer) Trumbull owed a duty of care to decedent based upon its contractual obligation to perform safety inspections and other monitoring fun...