Employer Liability for Actions of Employees and Others

This chapter discusses the circumstances in which employers will be held responsible for the actions of their employees. First, the concept of respondeat superior will be addressed: Employers are generally responsible for the actions of employees so long as the actions are taken within the scope of employment. Next, we discuss the legal theories of negligent hiring, supervision, and retention, followed by the issue of whether an employer may be liable for the actions of an independent contractor or volunteer. Last, we address the matter of whether a university may be vicariously liable for actions of its athletes.