If you were harmed by someone in a position of trust, such as a teacher, coach, religious leader, or caregiver, you may be wondering whether the organization behind that person can also be held responsible. In Canadian law, the answer is often yes. This is because of a legal concept called vicarious liability.
What Is Vicarious Liability?
Vicarious liability means that an institution, like a school, church, or youth organization, can be held legally responsible for the actions of someone acting within its environment, even if the institution itself did not directly commit the wrongdoing. This principle recognizes an important reality: abuse often happens in situations where organizations create or control the conditions that allow it to occur.
