A Riveting (or at Least Insightful) Explanation of the Privette Doctrine

“The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine” – Plutarch And grind they do . . . slowly. For long time readers of the…

Alarm Cries Wolf in California Case Involving Privette Doctrine

It’s one of the most quoted phrases in legal history: “Shouting fire in a [crowded] theater.” It comes from the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1919 decision…

Hirer Liable for Injury to Subcontractor’s Employee Due to Failure to Act, Not Just Affirmative Acts, Holds Court of Appeal

The Privette doctrine, named after the court case Privette v. Superior Court (1993) 5 Cal.4th 689, provides that a higher-tiered party such as an owner or…

Construction Injuries Under the Privette Doctrine. An Electrifying, but Perhaps Not Particularly Shocking, Story . . .

We’ve talked about the Privette doctrine before (see here, here, and here). The Privette doctrine, named after the court case Privette v. Superior Court (1993) 5 Cal.4th 689, provides in…

One Very Good Reason to Make Sure Your Contractor is Licensed

I know how the thinking goes . . . Other than providing you with some marginal assurance that the work performed by your contractor (or subcontractor,…

General Contractor Not Liable for Injuries to Subcontractor’s Employee Based on a Claim of Negligent Scheduling

The Privette doctrine, subject to certain exceptions, provides that when a general contractor hires a subcontractor, the general contractor is not liable for injuries that occur…

General Contractor Which Retained Control Over Jobsite May be Liable for Injuries Sustained by Third Tier Subcontractor

Nearly 20 years ago the California Supreme Court decided Privette v. Superior Court, 5 Cal.4th 689 (1993), in which it held that a property owner who…