The legal doctrine that holds an employer liable for an employee's negligent acts is known as what?

The correct answer, Respondeat Superior, refers to a legal doctrine holding employers responsible for the negligent actions of their employees performed within the scope of their employment. This principle is rooted in the understanding that when employees are acting in their official capacity, they are essentially representing the employer, and therefore, the employer bears some responsibility for their actions.

Respondeat Superior essentially creates a link between the actions of the employee and the liability of the employer, emphasizing that employees should be held accountable while also protecting the interests of injured parties seeking compensation. This doctrine is pivotal in legal cases involving workplace incidents, as it facilitates the process of seeking damages from employers rather than placing the burden solely on individual employees.

Vicarious Liability, while similar in its implications, refers more broadly to situations where one party is held responsible for the actions of another based on the relationship between them, often used interchangeably with Respondeat Superior but not exclusively linked to employer-employee scenarios. Negligence Per Se pertains to violations of statutes or regulations that automatically constitute negligence without the need for further proof of breach or causation. Strict Liability is a legal concept where a party can be held liable for damages without proof of negligence, typically related to inherently dangerous activities or defective products.