Lucy W. Smyth v. Twin State Improvement Corp.

Summary

The court held that the complaint adequately stated a negligence claim because a person who undertakes work for another, even gratuitously, owes a duty to use reasonable care and skill. It also held that Vermont may constitutionally exercise personal jurisdiction over a foreign corporation whose agent commits a tort wholly within Vermont against a Vermont resident when the action arises from that tort and service provides adequate notice. The court therefore reversed the dismissal and remanded the case.