Chance, the gardener, works for Big In Gardening Company, Inc. (BIG Co.), a California corporation. While
doing his job for BIG Co. at BIG Co.’s corporate recreation center, Chance started a fire to burn some of the
weeds he had pulled. Suddenly, because of Chance’s negligence in attending the fire, a sudden wind blew hot
embers onto the adjacent hillside, comprised of parcels owned by various private individuals and one “pocket
park” owned by the local government. The hillside caught fire. The local fire department was able to put out the
fire, but not until after it had burned significant portions of the hillside and after substantial fire suppression
costs were incurred by the local government. Assume all events take place in California, all litigation is in
California state courts, and the applicable law is California law.
Chance would be liable for fire suppression costs in fighting the fire Chance negligently allowed to escape.
Quote and cite an appropriate code section, including appropriate subdivision(s), if any, supporting Chance’s
liability for fire suppression costs.
What statute enacted the original version of the code section that is the answer to question 1? (Answer this
question with a citation to the appropriate chapter of the Statutes and Amendments to the Codes.)
There is a split in authority as to whether BIG Co., the corporation employing Chance, would be vicariously
liable for fire suppression costs caused by Chance’s negligence.
Quote and cite a published California case that supports the proposition that BIG Co. is not vicariously liable
under the statute providing for the recovery of fire suppression costs.
Quote and cite a published California case that supports the proposition that BIG Co. is vicariously liable under
the statute providing for the recovery of fire suppression costs.
The California Supreme Court granted review in the above case to resolve this split in authority. If you file a
case in a California trial court addressing this exact issue, which court’s decision is binding on the trial court
until the California Supreme Court decides? Provide an answer with appropriate citations.