California Supreme Court Reverses Negligent Hiring Ruling

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In a decision that will likely impact asbestos litigation, the California Supreme Court has ruled that a company that hires an independent contractor cannot be held liable under a theory of negligent hiring for injuries suffered by the contractor's employee. Camargo v. Tjaarda Dairy, et al., No. S088632 (Calif. Sup. Ct.).

In its decision issued July 5, the court said the rationale of its decisions in Privette v. Superior Court (1993) 5 Cal.4th 689 and Toland v. Sunland Housing Group, Inc. (1998) 18 Cal.4th 253 applies as well to negligent hiring claims to bar an employee of …