Court Finds Employer Better Suited than Product Owner to Protect Workers

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The Supreme Court of Nevada has affirmed summary judgment for two owners of asbestos-containing products, finding the companies didn't owe a duty-of-care to an employee of an independent contractor hired to clean and repair the products. Knutson, et al. v. Battle Mountain Gold Co., et al., No. 46504 (Nev. Sup. Ct.).

The high court said in a July 20 order that Sandra Knutson's employer, Westinghouse Electric Apparatus Repair Services, as an independent contractor specializing in that type of work, was in a better position to take precautions to protect Knutson against dangers associated with asbestos exposure.