Supreme Court of Vermont
Springfield Hydroelectric Company v. Lawrence D. Copp and Jonathan Downer
July 6, 2001172 Vt. 311
Summary
The court affirmed summary judgment for the former VPX employees because the hydroelectric owners sought recovery for purely economic losses, which are barred by Vermont's economic loss rule. The rule applies beyond products-liability cases, and the record did not establish either a professional-services exception or an independent duty arising from an agency relationship. The court held that VPX's employees were not the owners' agents because they were subject to VPX and the PSB rather than the owners' control.