What does "vicarious liability" refer to in legal terms?

Vicarious liability refers specifically to a legal doctrine where one party is held responsible for the negligent actions or omissions of another party. This typically occurs in a workplace context, where an employer may be held liable for the actions of an employee, provided those actions occurred in the course of their employment. This principle is rooted in the idea that an employer has a duty to oversee and control the actions of their employees, thus making them accountable for the consequences of those actions, even if the employer themselves did not directly cause the harm.

Understanding vicarious liability is crucial for recognizing how responsibility can shift in situations involving multiple parties, especially in employment relationships, and how it serves to protect victims by allowing them to seek compensation from those more capable of paying, rather than solely from the individual who caused the harm.