Final answer:
A principal may be held liable for an independent contractor's torts if the work is inherently dangerous or if the principal retains control over the work. The specific laws of the jurisdiction determine liability in such cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
A principal may be held liable for an independent contractor's torts under certain circumstances. One such circumstance is if the principal hires an independent contractor to perform work that is inherently dangerous, like construction or demolition. If the independent contractor causes harm to others due to negligence or carelessness, the principal may be held responsible.
Another circumstance is if the principal retains control over the work being performed by the independent contractor. If the principal directly supervises or gives specific instructions on how the work should be done, they may be held liable if the contractor's actions result in harm to others.
It's important to note that whether a principal can be held liable for an independent contractor's torts depends on the specific laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the tort occurs.