Hurst v. Wallace Construction Co.

ALMON, Justice.

William B. Hurst filed this personal injury action, alleging that Wallace Construction Company, Inc. (“Wallace Construction”), had negligently inspected his workplace and that, as a result, he sustained severe injuries to his back. His wife joined the action, claiming loss of consortium; we will not discuss her claim separately, because it is derivative. Wallace Construction filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that, as a general contractor, it had not undertaken a duty to inspect the equipment of an independent subcontractor’s employee. The trial court entered a…