What is Respondeat Superior?

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior a principle (employer) is liable for the torts of its agents (employees).  A principle-agent relationship exists where the employee has agreed to work on behalf of the employer and to be subject to the employer’s control or right to control the physical conduct of the employee. Respondeat superior is Latin for “let the master answer.”  In the employment context, it might be read more accurately as meaning that “the...

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