Vicarious liability arises when an employee's negligent acts occur under what circumstance?

• A. during the course of employment
• B. only if employee intentionally harms someone
• C. only in contract duties
• D. never

Answer: (A)

Vicarious liability is about an employer being responsible for the negligent acts of its employees when those acts are done in the course of their job. If an employee injures someone while carrying out duties or tasks authorized by the employer, the employer can be liable under the principle of respondeat superior. The key point is that the act is performed during the course of employment and within the scope of the employee’s duties, not that the employee intended to cause harm. It’s a tort-based liability, not tied to contract. Acts outside the course of employment (for example, a purely personal errand) typically fall outside this liability.