What doctrine holds principals liable for the negligent conduct of their agents acting within the scope of employment?

The correct answer pertains to the doctrine of respondeat superior, which is a legal principle that holds an employer or principal liable for the negligent actions of an employee or agent when those actions occur within the course of their employment or while performing duties on behalf of the employer.

Under this doctrine, if an agent causes harm to a third party while carrying out their job responsibilities, the principal can be held responsible for those actions. This serves to promote accountability within the employer-employee relationship and ensures that those who suffer from an agent’s negligence have a means to seek compensation.

In contrast, vicarious liability is a broader concept that describes a situation where a party is held responsible for the actions of another, but it is often used interchangeably with respondeat superior in cases involving employment. Direct liability involves holding a principal liable for their own negligence, not for the acts of an agent. The negligence standard is a legal benchmark for determining if a party acted carelessly, but it does not specifically address the relational liability between principals and agents. Thus, respondeat superior is the specific doctrine that addresses the liability of principals for the actions of their agents within the scope of their employment.