Opinion ID: 1803717
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Inadequate Lighting

Text: Stovall first argues that the trial court erred in entering a summary judgment because, she argues, genuine issues of material fact exist as to whether Turner negligently failed to provide adequate lighting. We find no merit to this argument. At issue is the question of Turner's duty. Generally speaking, a contractor owes no duty to the subcontractor whom he has employed. Elder v. E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co., 479 So.2d 1243, 1248 (Ala.1985); Knight v. Burns, Kirkley & Williams Constr. Co., 331 So.2d 651, 655 (Ala.1976). However, there are three recognized exceptions to this rule. First, the contractor is liable for injuries to a subcontractor's employee caused by the contractor's own negligence. Knight, 331 So.2d at 655. Second, a contractor is liable for injuries to a third person when the work being performed is `of such kind or class that the doing of it, however carefully or skillfully performed, will probably result in damage, or is necessarily and intrinsically dangerous.' Knight, 331 So.2d at 655 (quoting Baker v. Atlanta B. & A. Ry., 163 Ala. 101, 105, 49 So. 751, 752 (1909)). Finally, a contractor `is responsible for the manner of the performance of his nondelegable duties, though done by an independent contractor.' Knight, 331 So.2d at 655 (quoting Dixie Stage Lines v. Anderson, 222 Ala. 673, 675, 134 So. 23, 24 (1931)). As discussed above, Turner contractually agreed to furnish Penwal's employees with temporary lighting for night shifts sufficient to allow assembly. However, Stovall does not allege a breach of contract. As Stovall's reply brief explains: [Stovall is] not ... seeking to hold [Turner] liable under a third-party beneficiary status.... Indeed, the Complaint contains no breach of contract allegations as to [Turner]. ... Rather, the provisions of the Subcontract concerning night lighting demonstrate that [Turner] retained possession and control over the provision of lighting for the premises. Therefore, [Turner] remains liable for its failure to provide adequate lighting, irregardless [sic] of any third party beneficiary analysis. (Emphasis added.) Stovall's argument is apparently that Turner retained possession and control over the lighting of the work area for the night shift and therefore had a duty of care to provide adequate lighting. Because Turner owned the light trees, Stovall has presented sufficient evidence of possession. What Stovall misapprehends, however, is that control, as it relates to determining whether a duty of care exists, refers to a party's reservation of the right to control the manner in which work is performed. Pate v. United States Steel Corp., 393 So.2d 992, 995 (Ala.1981). Stovall has failed to produce substantial evidence indicating that Turner reserved the right to control how Elee and his fellow painters used the lighting. Indeed, the very essence of the contractor/subcontractor relationship hinges on the contractor's allowing the subcontractor to do his work without interference. The mere fact that Turner contracted to provide Penwal employees with lighting in no way translates into an automatic reservation of control over how that lighting is used. Stovall points out that this Court, in Berness v. Regency Square Assocs., Ltd., 514 So.2d 1346, 1348 (Ala.1987), found, under the circumstances of that case, a duty to provide adequate lighting. In that case, a mall employee tripped and fell over loose concrete on the sidewalk outside the mall building. The exterior lights were not on when she fell. However, in Berness, the lighting was clearly on the mall premises, and the management had indisputably reserved the right to control, and in fact did control, the manner of lighting the exterior premises. Berness, 514 So.2d at 1347. Thus Berness is distinguishable and does not support the finding of a duty of care to provide adequate lighting in this case. [1] We conclude that Stovall has failed to provide substantial evidence showing that Turner owed any duty to provide the painters adequate lighting.