Opinion ID: 852709
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Negligence Claim Against Solar

Text: Solar was the purchaser of the facility to be designed and furnished by Daniels and installed by Trimble. It is undisputed that Solar contracted with Daniels for the design and construction of the coal plant and Solar's only obligation was to fund the project. [11] The acts of negligence alleged are in the design and manufacture by Daniels, which was admittedly an independent contractor of Solar. The Vaughns assert that Solar is liable for Daniels's negligence under an exception to the general rule that a principal is not liable for the negligence of an independent contractor. We have previously held that: [T]he long-standing general rule has been that a principal is not liable for the negligence of an independent contractor. However, five exceptions have been recognized for more than half a century. The exceptions are: (1) where the contract requires the performance of intrinsically dangerous work; (2) where the principal is by law or contract charged with performing the specific duty; (3) where the act will create a nuisance; (4) where the act to be performed will probably cause injury to others unless due precaution is taken; and (5) where the act to be performed is illegal. Bagley v. Insight Commc'ns Co., 658 N.E.2d 584, 586 (Ind.1995) (internal citations omitted); see also PSI Energy, Inc. v. Roberts, 829 N.E.2d 943, 950 (Ind.2005). The Vaughns cite the second exception, contending that specific duties are imposed by law under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (FMSHA), 30 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq. (2002). Specifically, the Vaughns maintain that under FMSHA regulations Solar and Daniels owed a duty to provide a railing around the coal sump. [12] The Vaughns are correct that Solar as owner and Daniels as contractor are both subject to FMSHA regulations. Bituminous Coal Operators' Ass'n v. Sec'y of Interior, 547 F.2d 240, 246-47 (4th Cir. 1977). The FMSHA authorizes the Secretary of Labor to inspect mining operations and impose civil penalties for FMSHA violations. 30 U.S.C. §§ 802, 813-14, 819-20. Bituminous expressly left open the question of allocation of liability for fines as between the owner and an independent contractor, but that case did not address civil tort liability. It does not support the Vaughns' contention that a FMSHA regulation imposes a state law duty for purposes of tort liability of the owner for negligence of an independent contractor. For these purposes, FMSHA regulations are analogous to OSHA regulations applicable to many workplaces. An OSHA violation does not in itself render a workplace owner liable in tort for the negligence of an independent contractor. See Ellis v. Chase Commc'ns, Inc., 63 F.3d 473, 478 (6th Cir.1995) (holding in a suit against the owner of premises where employee of independent contractor was killed that even had there been a violation of OSHA safety regulations, the owner must owe a duty independent of OSHA in order to create liability). None of the remaining exceptions to the rule that a principal is not liable for an independent contractor's negligence are applicable. Accordingly, the trial court properly granted summary judgment in favor of Solar on the negligence claim.