Island City Flying Serv. v. General Elec. Credit Corp.

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida reversed the Third District Court of Appeal and remanded, holding that Island City Flying Service was not liable for negligent hiring of Steve Diezel because the employer could not have foreseen the theft, that Island City may assert comparative negligence of the lessee, and that General Electric, as owner of the aircraft, is liable for its lessee's negligence. The Court emphasized that negligent‑hiring liability requires foreseeability of the specific type of tort and that comparative negligence is available in negligence actions even when the employee’s conduct is intentional.