principal liability for agent
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 82 U.S. 649 - Railroad Company v. Hanning · 1872Most cited · 139 citing opinions
The principal is liable for the acts and negligence of the agent in the course of his employment, although he did not authorize or did not know of the acts complained of. So long as he stands in the relation of principal or master to the wrongdoer, the owner is responsible for his acts. When he ceases to be such and the actor is himself the principal and master, not a servant or agent, he alone is responsible.