A water pipe bursts, flooding a General Business Company (GBC) utility room and tripping the circuit breakers on a panel in the room.

A water pipe bursts, flooding a General Business Company (GBC) utility room and tripping the circuit breakers on a panel in the room. GBC con­tacts Hal, a licensed electrician with ten years of experience, to investi­gate the damage and turn the breakers “on.” Hal attempts to turn on one of the breakers without testing for short circuits, which he knows should be done. Hal is electrocuted, and files a suit against GBC for damages, al­leging negligence. How might GBC defend itself?

GBC needs not pay damages to HAL. The simple reason is that professions which require a lotof caution in handling breakages have to be exercised the necessary preventive action because...