Opinion ID: 1652198
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Liability of Employer for Negligence of Independent Contractor

Text: The general rule is that an employer is not responsible for the negligence of his or her independent contractor. See Jackson v. Petit Jean Elec. Co-op., 270 Ark. 506, 606 S.W.2d 66 (1980). However, we have recognized that there are exceptions to the rule. We have noted that an employer may be held liable for the conduct of a careless, reckless, or incompetent independent contractor when the employer was negligent in hiring the contractor. See Arkansas Pools, Inc. v. Beavers, 281 Ark. 109, 661 S.W.2d 395 (1983). We have also recognized an exception where the employer has undertaken to perform certain duties or activities and negligently fails to perform them thereafter or performs them in a negligent manner. See Gordon v. Matson, 246 Ark. 533, 439 S.W.2d 627 (1969). In addition, we have noted that an employer may be liable to third parties when he or she delegates to an independent contractor work that is inherently dangerous. See Jackson, 270 Ark. at 510, 606 S.W.2d 66 (emphasis added).