Final answer:
Vicarious liability is the imposition of responsibility onto one person for the actions of another by law, often applied when employers are held accountable for their employees' negligent or criminal behaviors during employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The liability for negligence or criminal acts of another person that is legally assigned to someone is known as vicarious liability. This legal concept falls under the broader domain of criminal law, which is a branch of law that defines behaviors that are prohibited because they can harm or endanger others and outlines the punishments for those who engage in such actions.
Vicarious liability is often applied in situations where an employer is held responsible for the negligent actions or criminal conducts of its employees, provided these acts were carried out during the course of employment. In such cases, the law imposes a duty upon employers to ensure their employees act lawfully within the scope of their employment, and when they do not, the employer may be held liable.