Curtis williams was employed by highway construction engineering corporation (hcec). hcec was contracted to excavate a traffic tunnel for the state of new jersey, and curtis was assigned to work on this excavation project. while working on the excavation of the tunnel, curtis breathed in very harmful debris resulting from the demolition of the tunnel for the excavation. by breathing in the debris, curtis suffered a debilitating lung disorder. williams sued hcec for damages resulting for breathing in the debris. if hcec asserts that it has no duty to protect curtis's safety, will it be successful?
a. yes, because hcec owes no duty to curtisb. no, because hcec has a contractual duty with the state of new jersey. c. no, because hcec owes a duty of care to curtis to take reasonable steps to protect curtis from the foreseeable risk of harm to his health posed by the excavation of the tunnel. d. yes, because hcec was not responsible for the debris.