Under California law, a strong presumption exists that a general contractor that hires an independent subcontractor delegates to the subcontractor all responsibility for workplace safety and is not liable for injuries sustained by the subcontractor or its workers while on the job. This is known as the Privette Doctrine, based on the California Supreme Court decision that first announced this principle in 1993.
In the case at hand, a general contractor hired an alarm company to install an automatic fire sprinkler system for a development in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. One day during the installation, an alarm company employee arrived at work and found the floor covered in ice. While trying to use a ladder on the ice, the employee slipped and suffered injuries. The employee filed suit against the general contractor.