Courtroom Success 2016-8: Springfield Associate Erin Thron

Springfield Associate Erin Thron recently obtained summary judgment in Middlesex Superior Court following briefing and oral argument. Erin represented a large lawn and pest control company as to claims for negligent hiring, retention and emotional distress centering on an alleged confrontation and assault at a commercial client’s premises. The claimant asserted he was assaulted at work by an employee of the company performing lawn care work at the premises. In a ten-page decision, the judge agreed with Erin that there was no viable evidence as to negligent hiring or retention and that as to the distress/assault claim, the employee was acting outside of his employment as a matter of law precluding any vicarious liability.