When can a principal be held liable for the actions of an agent during a frolic and detour?

A principal can be held liable for the actions of an agent during a frolic and detour when the agent is on a dual-purpose mission. This occurs when the agent's actions, although they involve a deviation from their primary work duties, serve both personal and work-related purposes.

For instance, if an agent takes a minor detour to run a personal errand while still fulfilling their work role, the principal might still be held liable for the agent's actions if they are within the scope of both purposes. The rationale behind this is that the agent’s actions could be deemed as still benefiting the principal, especially if the detour was minor or closely linked to the agent’s overall mission for the employer.

In contrast, if an agent is engaged solely in personal pursuits without any relevance to their job duties, the principal is not typically held liable. The key consideration is whether the actions of the agent can be viewed as serving both personal interests and the interests of the principal simultaneously. This aspect of dual-purpose missions is crucial in determining liability during instances of frolic and detour.