How does respondeat superior make an employer liable for a servant’s torts?

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior (Latin for "let the master answer"), an employer is held vicariously liable for the torts committed by a servant, or employee, during the course of their employment.1

This legal principle functions as a form of strict liability, meaning the employer is responsible for the harm caused by the employee regardless of whether the employer was personally at fault. The doctrine is rooted in the concept that because an employer exercises control over the economic enterprise or household, they should bear the financial responsibility for damages caused by those under their direction.21

For respondeat superior to apply, two primary conditions must be met:

• Master-Servant Relationship: There must be an established relationship where the employer exercises a degree of physical control over the employee.1
• Course of Employment: The tortious conduct must occur within the scope of the employee's duties. This generally includes actions that are not a serious departure from authorized tasks—in terms of manner and space—and are motivated, at least in part, by a desire to serve the employer.1