Question

Linda owns a hardware store. One of her employees, Don, helps a customer get a bike down from the shelve and ends up injuring them. Is Linda liable even though she wasn't at the store at the time?

A) Yes, Linda is vicariously liable for Don's actions.
B) No, Linda is not liable as she wasn't present at the store.
C) Maybe, it depends on the specific circumstances and applicable laws.
D) Not enough information to determine liability.

Answer 1

Linda may be held vicariously liable for Don's actions if he was performing a task within the scope of his employment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, Linda, as the owner of the hardware store, may be held vicariously liable for Don's actions.

Employer liability is a legal concept that holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment. Even though Linda was not present at the store when the injury occurred, if Don was performing a task within the scope of his employment, Linda may still be liable.

For example, if Don was assisting the customer in getting the bike down from the shelf as part of his regular job duties, then this would likely be within the scope of his employment, and Linda could be held liable for any resulting injuries.