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Technically the way the US legal system works, the expected outcome is that Comcast loses, pays this company, and then sues their independent contractors to recover the damages they had to pay out.

That's how it's supposed to work. How it actually works is that the contractor is probably going to get a new giant contract with Comcast.

If a contractor did it, the company isn't liable. It's precisely why Uber fights so hard to keep drivers classified as contractors rather than employees.

Legally speaking, you are likely correct. I'm saying that they should be.

If you hire a contractor to trim your trees, should you be liable if they drop a branch on your neighbor's roof?

If you've been repeatedly informed that the contractors make no attempt to prevent damage and are unsafe to retain and you don't make sure the contractor has his own insurance to cover damage liability? Yes, I'd say so.

Yes, I don't see why not.

I should be able to also sue the contractor or something, but ultimately my neighbor should absolutely be able to blame me.

You're right. I was just trying to give some insight into why the quality of work varies so much.