Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that holds one party responsible for the actions of another, based on the relationship between the two. Typically, it arises in the context of employer-employee relationships. Under this principle, an employer can be held liable for the negligent acts or omissions of an employee if those acts occur in the course of employment and are related to the employee's job duties.
The rationale behind vicarious liability is that the employer has greater control over the employee’s actions and is in a better position to ensure safety and proper conduct. This doctrine encourages employers to implement effective training and supervision for their employees, as well as to maintain safe working conditions.
Vicarious liability is generally associated with tort law and is distinct from direct liability, where an individual is held accountable for their own actions.