While it’s more common for accidents to happen in public spaces involving two private parties, there are certain situations that are a little more complicated. For example, what happens if you get injured by a delivery driver or a city repair truck? Is the employee of the company liable or the company itself? To answer this question, we need to understand how Colorado defines vicarious liability law.
So what is vicarious liability? Ultimately, it is when someone takes responsibility for the actions of others. An example of this would be whenever a child under the age of 18 gets their license. When they get the license, a parent or guardian needs to sign an agreement that makes them vicariously liable for their child’s conduct while operating a vehicle. This means that if the child gets into an accident, the parent, or guardian is responsible. Believe it or not, this concept also applies to situations where an employee causes a personal injury. As long as they are on the job and considered an employee and not a contractor, the employer is responsible. However, in cases involving independent contractors, this distinction is a little less clear.
To help identify who is liable for your personal injury, it’s best to contact an experienced attorney. At the Tenge Law Firm, our team of personal injury attorneys will examine every aspect of your claim to determine if the vicarious liability law in Colorado applies to your situation. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 303-665-2929.