What legal doctrine allows one party to be held liable for the wrongful actions of another party?

The legal doctrine that permits one party to be held liable for the wrongful actions of another party is vicarious liability. This principle is often applied in employment contexts, where an employer can be held responsible for the actions of an employee conducted within the scope of their employment. For example, if an employee causes a car accident while performing their job duties, the employer may be liable for the damages resulting from that accident, even if the employer was not directly involved in the wrongdoing.

Vicarious liability is based on the notion that employers have a duty to ensure that their employees act responsibly and effectively, thus holding them accountable for the employees' actions during their employment. This doctrine encourages businesses to implement policies and provide training that will reduce the likelihood of employee misconduct.

In contrast, negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm, while strict liability is applied in situations where responsibility is imposed for damages regardless of fault, such as in strict liability torts involving inherently dangerous activities. Contributory negligence refers to a legal doctrine where a party may be found partly at fault for their injuries and thereby reduce or eliminate their right to recover damages.