Spellman v. Shawmut Woodworking & Supply, Inc.

We transferred this case here on our own motion to consider the correctness of certain pretrial decisions and related questions reserved and reported by a Superior Court judge to the Appeals Court. The report pertains to the validity and enforceability of an assignment of a general contractor’s claims (for contractual indemnification and breach of contract) against its subcontractor to an employee of the subcontractor who was injured on the job. We conclude that the assignment is valid and the assignees, here the plaintiffs, must prove their assigned claims and damages in full.

The parties…