MLB-Slaw Selected Case Summaries

Here you'll find weekly summaries of selected cases provided to Slaw by Maritime Law Book's National Reporter System.

Sep 20

Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. v. Safety Boss Ltd. et al. 2012 ABQB 161

Company Law - Nature of corporations - Lifting the corporate veil - Principals - “Directing mind and will” of company

A blowout occurred at a long-suspended sour gas well sending a stream of poisonous hydrogen sulphide gas high in the air, causing environmental damage. The well operator (Petrobank) sued the well-control company (Safety Boss) it hired to gain control of the well, claiming that Petrobank’s expenditures were higher than necessary because of breaches of contract and negligence by Safety Boss.

The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench allowed the action and assessed damages accordingly. 

Link to PDF of complete summary

Link to full judgment