The parents of a toddler who dies after being brought to the ER launch

QUESTION

The parents of a toddler who dies after being brought to the ER launch a lawsuit, claiming that the failure of nurses to pursue concerns related to their son’s deteriorating condition contributed to his death.

The senior nurse executive is named in the suit:

a. As a global respondent.
b. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
c. As a frivolous action.
d. Under the element of causation.

ANSWER:

ANS: B
Known as vicarious liability, the doctrine of respondeat superior makes employers accountable for the negligence of their employees, using the rationale that the employee could not have been in a position to have caused the wrongdoing unless hired by the employer.