What is the legal term for liability placed on one person for the actions of another?

Vicarious liability refers to a situation where one party is held responsible for the actions or omissions of another person, typically in the context of an employer-employee relationship. This legal principle recognizes that employers can be liable for their employees' negligent actions if those actions occur within the scope of their employment. For example, if a driver causes an accident while performing job duties, the employer might be held liable for damages resulting from that incident.

In this context, it is important to note that vicarious liability does not require the employer to have had any direct involvement in or knowledge of the employee's negligent behavior. Instead, it is based on the relationship between the two parties. This principle promotes accountability in workplaces and provides a means of compensation for victims who have suffered due to someone else's actions.

While personal liability pertains to an individual’s responsibility for their own actions, joint liability involves multiple parties being legally responsible for the same damage or injury. Contributory liability, on the other hand, relates to a legal doctrine where a party can be denied recovery for damages if they are found to have contributed to their own injury. These terms emphasize different aspects of legal responsibility but do not encapsulate the concept of being held liable for another’s conduct as vicarious