LAW 604C Lecture Notes - Lecture 33: Henry Newhall, Respondeat Superior, Vicarious Liability
Document Summary
Vicarious liability (cid:862)a for(cid:373) of stri(cid:272)t lia(cid:271)ilit(cid:455) i(cid:374) (cid:449)hi(cid:272)h o(cid:374)e perso(cid:374) or e(cid:374)tit(cid:455) is held legall(cid:455) respo(cid:374)si(cid:271)le for the fault-(cid:271)ased torts of a(cid:374)other(cid:863) (cid:894)te(cid:454)t(cid:271)ook(cid:895) The goals of vicarious liability are threefold: the prevention of future injuries, the assurance of compensation for victims, the equitable spreading of losses caused by an enterprise. See lisa m. v. henry mayo newhall mem. The takeaway is that when (cid:862)the a(cid:272)t (cid:449)as do(cid:374)e (cid:449)hile the ser(cid:448)a(cid:374)t (cid:449)as doi(cid:374)g his (cid:373)aster"s (cid:449)ork, (cid:374)o (cid:373)atter ho(cid:449) irregularl(cid:455), or (cid:449)ith (cid:449)hat disregard of i(cid:374)stru(cid:272)tio(cid:374)s(cid:863) the employer will be liable. The takeaway is the scope of the respondeat superior doctrine. The nursing home was held vicariously liable for its employee slapping an elderly resident. The employee was intoxicated and had a criminal record of battery with intent to kill. The takeaway is that vicarious liability is a jury question. The act must be within the scope of employment.
