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If you are hurt, you may be able to pursue a personal injury or tort claim against the person who caused you harm. This enables you to obtain compensation for losses.

Usually you sue the person who hurt you, but in some situations you may also want to sue the people or company who were in control of that individual. This could make it easier to get compensation if the person who harmed you had little money or insurance or if you can’t determine exactly which specific individual in an organization was liable.

Vicarious liability rules enable you to pursue a case against these other possible defendants. Read on to learn about the legal doctrine of vicarious liability and how it could affect a personal injury case.

What Is Vicarious Liability?

Vicarious liability, or imputed liability, is a legal rule that holds a person or company responsible for actions committed by others or by their employees. Typically, it applies to those who are in control of people who cause harm to victims.

For example, a company (called the principal) is in control of its employees. So, if an employee (called the agent) injures someone while on the job, vicarious liability rules could apply to hold the company accountable.

Vicarious liability gives victims more potential defendants in a personal injury case. In many situations, plaintiffs will...

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