Principal's liability for an agent's intentional tort: when is the principal liable?

• A. Not liable b/c intentional torts are outside the scope
• B. Liable if the act is natural to use force, there is authorization by P, or A intended to benefit P
• C. Liable for all intentional torts regardless of scope
• D. Liable only if the agent acted in the agent's own interest

Answer: (B)

Vicarious liability for an agent’s intentional tort depends on whether the act falls within the scope of the agent’s duties or is otherwise authorized, or is intended to benefit the principal. If the agent’s action is the kind of act the agent is employed to perform, or is a natural incident to performing the job—even if it involves force—the principal can be liable. Federal or state law often treats authorization by the principal as enough to trigger liability. Likewise, if the agent commits the tort with the intent to benefit the principal, that supports the principal’s liability.

This explains why the best answer is that the principal is liable when the act is natural to the duties, there is authorization by the principal, or the agent intended to benefit the principal. It’s not a blanket rule that all intentional torts make the principal liable, and it isn’t limited to cases where the agent acts solely for the agent’s own interest.