Alaska Liability Law For Employers

Respondeat Superior is a legal doctrine holding employers liable for the wrongful acts of employees occurring within scope of employment. Essentially, Respondeat Superior means “let the master answer,” holding an employer responsible for the actions of their employees under certain circumstances. This doctrine stems from the idea that employers benefit from an employees’ work. Therefore, the employer is also responsible for harm their employees cause while acting within the scope of their employment. 

Vicarious Liability in torts means one party can be held responsible for the tortious acts of another, even if the first party didn’t directly cause the harm. This commonly arises in employer-employee relationships. In other words, the employer can be liable for the negligent actions of an employee if those actions occurred within the scope of employment.  Employers or businesses are often named as a defendants in lawsuits caused by employees on the job.

The doctrines of Respondeat Superior and Vicarious Liability also apply when an employer entrusts a vehicle to an employee. Employers may be liable for an employee’s driving as part of the employee’s job responsibilities. This is true for many states including claims and lawsuits brought under Alaska Liability Laws.

Which Law Applies In Your Situation?

There are other situations in which these and other legal theories apply. Consult an Alaska personal injury attorney to determine the legal theories which apply to your case. A good Alaska personal injury attorney will analyze Alaska Liability Laws and advise you how to proceed.

This Alaska Liability Law information on is Part Two of a two-part series. See Part Two: Alaska Responsibility Rules.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your serious injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Negligent Entrustment

Alaska law recognizes and follows the common law tort of negligent entrustment, aligning with the definition found in the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 390. Under Alaska responsibility rules, negligent entrustment occurs when a person provides something (chattel) to another, knowing or having reason to know that the recipient’s youth, inexperience, or other factors make them likely to use it in a way that causes harm. In modern usage, chattel usually refers to tangible movable personal property. Consequently, this legal theory holds the provider liable for injuries resulting from such misuse. 

If you loan your car to an inexperienced or otherwise unsafe driver, it is irresponsible. You may be found negligent. Negligence is not being careful enough, and causing harm. A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit commonly names the owner of a car in addition to the driver under this legal theory. Even if no statute for owner’s liability exists, it may be possible to prove liability through the theory of negligent entrustment.

Alaska Responsibility Rules Apply In More Situations

There are many situations in which these and other legal theories apply. Consult an Alaska personal injury attorney to determine if these legal concepts apply to your case. A good Alaska personal injury attorney will analyze Alaska Liability Laws and advise you how to proceed.

This information on Alaska Responsibility Rules is Part One of a two-part series. See Part Two: Alaska Liability Law.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans under complex legal theories for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your serious injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Source: Justia U.S. Law

Image Source: University of Alaska Anchorage