Northrop Corp. v. Stinson Sales Corp.

Cross-complainant and appellant Northrop Corporation (Northrop) appeals from a judgment of the superior court made pursuant to an order granting cross-defendant and respondent Stinson Sales Corporation’s (Stinson) motion for summary judgment and dismissing with prejudice Northrop’s cross-complaints for indemnity, contribution, and declaratory relief against Stinson in a personal injury action brought by Robert and Alinamaria Stremple (the Stremples) and Lincoln L. McGraw (McGraw) (hereinafter jointly referred to as plaintiffs).

Statement of the Case

Plaintiffs Robert Stremple and McGraw, painters employed by a subcontractor and working at Northrop, were injured when the structural painter’s plank upon which they were standing collapsed, and they fell over 30 feet to the ground. All plaintiffs brought their own actions against defendants Stinson, a provider of structural planks, Northrop, and fictitious named defendants. Stinson and Northrop each cross-complained against the other for indemnity, contribution, and declaratory relief. The actions were consolidated for all further proceedings by order of the superior court.

Stinson subsequently moved for summary judgment…