As an Employee for a contractor Am I going to be sued if I was found negligent in a fire?

Question

I was cleaning air ducts for my employer, i am the manager of that division. The insurance company found it was a tool we left behind that caused the fire. Am I at risk to be sued..by the employer or the client that suffered the fire.

Answer 1

If you were performing duties within the scope of your employement, (what your employer expected you to be doing), then no. You are considered an agent of your employer. The only way you could be held liable for the fire, was if you knew you weren't supposed to be cleaning the air ducts, perhaps even against your employers directions, but did anyway.

Answer 2

Short answer: Yes, they can sue you, but likely they won't get a judgment against you.

You could be named in the suit, but hopefully your defense would be covered by the company you work for, and hopefully they have insurance to cover innocent mistakes and things like that. More than likely, though, the client (and their attorneys) will go after your employer and the insurance company instead of the contractor who wasn't personally responsible.

Answer 3

I doubt it, unless you have deep pockets!