Respondeat Superior Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Respondeat Superior.

Respondeat Superior (n): This is a Latin term which translates to 'let the master answer'. It is a legal doctrine signifying that in certain cases, an employer (the 'master') can be held legally responsible for the wrongful acts of their employees (like negligence), but only if those actions were performed within the course of their assigned duties. An example can be an accident caused by a worker while handling hazardous materials for their job; the employer could potentially bear the liability for the resulting damages.