Labor/Employment,
California Supreme Court
Sep. 10, 2021
Jury instructions wrong in contractor liability cases, justice says
Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar wrote that Qualcomm owed no duty to the plaintiff in a decision that faults the instructions given to juries in such cases.
Reversing an appellate court decision, the state Supreme Court on Thursday ruled Qualcomm Inc. cannot be held liable for injuries suffered by an electrical parts specialist who successfully sued the company for damages.
Qualcomm was held liable along with a contractor it hired under a Supreme Court precedent that allows claims against a hiring company if it retains control of the contractor's work.
But Justice <...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In
Enewsletter Sign-up
Related Content
Torts
Sandoval v. Qualcomm Inc.
A party who fully and effectively delegates work to a contractor owes no tort duty to that contractor's workers.
Torts
Hooker v. Dept. of Transportation
No liability for hirer of independent contractor unless hirer's retained control 'affirmatively contributed' to the injury.
