“Independent Contractor Rule”

The Second Department noted the general rule that one who hires an independent contractor will not be liable for the contractor’s negligence:

“As a general rule, one who hires an independent contractor may not be held liable for the independent contractor’s negligent acts” … . Here, the defendant established, prima facie, that the alleged negligence was committed solely by an independent contractor and that, by reason of the above-described “independent contractor rule,” it could not be held liable … Braun v Star Community Publ Group LLC, 2015 NY Slip Op 01599, 2nd Dept 2-25-15