75-10-718. Liability of remedial action contractor. - Montana Statutes

     75-10-718. Liability of remedial action contractor. (1) A person who is a remedial action contractor with respect to a release or threatened release of a hazardous or deleterious substance is not liable under this part to any person for injuries, costs, damages, expenses, or other liability that results from the release or threatened release, including but not limited to claims for indemnification or contribution and claims by third parties for death, personal injury, illness, loss or damage to property, or economic loss.
     (2) Immunity from liability, pursuant to subsection (1), does not apply in the case of a release that is caused by conduct of the remedial action contractor that is negligent or grossly negligent or that constitutes intentional misconduct.
     (3) This section does not affect the liability of a person under a warranty under federal, state, or common law or the liability to an employee of an employer who is a remedial action contractor under any provision of law, including any provision of a law relating to workers' compensation.
     (4) A state agency or state employee or an employee of a political subdivision who provides services relating to remedial action while acting within the scope of the entity's or individual's authority as a governmental agency or employee has the same exemption from liability as is provided to the remedial action contractor under this section.
     (5) The defense provided by 75-10-715(5)(c) is not available to a person liable under 75-10-715(1) with respect to remedial action costs or damages caused by an act or omission of a remedial action contractor.
     (6) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5), this section does not affect the liability under this part of a person other than a remedial action contractor.
     (7) This section does not affect the plaintiff's burden of establishing liability under this part.
     (8) This section does not minimize the liability, lessen the standard of liability, or otherwise shield from liability a potentially liable person under 75-10-715 or section 107 of CERCLA for costs or damages incurred as a result of a release or threatened release of a hazardous or deleterious substance.

     History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 709, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 16, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 490, L. 1995.