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1 Ante, в§в§ 4-6.

18

274 WUO IS A SEKVA^'T?

CHAPTER XVII.

Independent contractors.

В§ 218. General rule.

A distinction is taken between a servant and an independent

contractor. When a person desires a particular act done he

may either hire a workman to do it, retaining control of the

servant and directing his work, or he may let the job. by con-

tract, simply stipulating that it shall be done in accordance

with certain specifications, but retaining no control over the

contractor, or over his methods of work. In the first case the

workman is a servant ; in the second, he is an independent

contractor. In the first case the employer is legally respon-

sible for the acts of the employee done in the course of the

business ; in the second, he is not generally responsible for

such acts.

Whether the employer retains such control over the work

to be done, and the manner of doing it, as to render himself

responsible for injuries occasioned by the negligence of the

employee (or contractor) in the performance of the work

depends upon the construction to be given to the contract. ^

Subject to the exceptions below enumerated, one who lets a

contract for work and retains no control over the work, or

the methods of doing it, is not liable for the negligence or

other wrong of the contractor.'^

To this general rule there are several exceptions.^

1 Liiinehan v. Rollins, 137 Mass. 123.

* Lawrence v. Shipman, 39 Conn. 586; Blake v. Ferris, 5 N. Y. 48;

Ilexamer v. Webb, 101 N. Y. 377 ; Atlanta K. Co. v. Kimberly, 87 Ga.

161; Foster t'. Wadsworth-IIowland Co., 168 111. 514; Sinjrer Mfg. Co.

V. Rahn, 132 U. S. 518; Halliday y. Nat. Tel. Co., 1891, 1 Q. B. 221. See

Sadler v. Ilenlock, 4 E. & B. 570 ; Brackett v. Lubke, 4 Allen (Mass.),

138, for cases open to doubt.

* See various exceptions stated in Atlanta R. v. Kimberly, 87 Ga.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. 275

В§ 219. Exceptions : (1) selecting competent contractor.

It is sometimes stated that a person may be liable for the

negligence of an independent contractor if he did not use

reasonable care to select one competent to perform the work

contracted for.^ There 'are occasional dicta to this effect,^

and perhaps one or two cases involving to some extent an

affirmation of the doctrine ; but there are some cases squarely

denying the doctrine.^ It is urged that the exception to the

general rule, if once admitted, would run counter to business

customs under which a contractor may estimate and contract

for work and afterward sub-let it to others who are special-

Ists, would go far toward destroying the whole doctrine appli-

cable to. independent contractors, and would " open a new and

unlimited field for actions for negligence." ^ It is urged on

the other hand that the exception imposes on one having

work performed only a duty which he fairly owes to the public

or to adjoining owners.^

В§ 220. Exceptions : (2) contracting for nuisance.

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