The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that Pabst Brewing Company can be held liable for injuries suffered by independent contractor Gerald Lorbiecki, who was exposed to asbestos while working at a brewery. This ruling, stemming from a case related to Lorbiecki’s death from cancer linked to asbestos exposure, emphasizes that employers have a broader responsibility to maintain a safe workplace under Wisconsin’s “safe-place statute,” even for contractors. The court determined that Pabst knew about the hazardous conditions and consequently awarded the Lorbiecki estate over $6.9 million in damages. The decision marks a significant shift in how liability for workplace safety is defined, with dissenting opinions expressing concern about potential repercussions for similar cases in the future.
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Link to original article source: https://www.wpr.org/news/pabst-brewing-asbestos-exposure-safe-place-wisconsin-supreme-court
