DEVINE v. NORTHEAST TREATMENT CENTERS, INC.

**What happened:** Devine sued Northeast Treatment Centers (Tree of Life) after an incident that led to multiple claims. Devine argued the employer broke their contract, failed to properly hire and supervise employees, and didn't maintain safe premises. The lower court had dismissed all claims through summary judgment, meaning it ruled against Devine without a trial. **What the court decided:** The appeals court gave Devine a partial victory. It overturned the dismissal of the breach of contract claim, meaning that issue can now go to trial. However, the court upheld the dismissal of claims about negligent hiring, supervision, and unsafe premises. One judge disagreed and would have allowed those claims to proceed as well. **Why this matters for workers:** This case shows that employment contracts can provide meaningful protection for workers, even when other legal theories fail. When employers allegedly break contract terms, workers may have a viable path to court even if claims about workplace safety or poor supervision are dismissed. However, it also demonstrates how difficult it can be to prove negligent hiring and supervision claims, as courts often dismiss these before trial.