Under what liability would an individual be held accountable for actions of their child?

An individual may be held accountable for the actions of their child under the concept of vicarious liability. This legal principle holds a parent or guardian responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts of their minor child, particularly when those actions are committed in the context of the parent-child relationship. The rationale behind vicarious liability is to promote accountability within families and encourage parents to supervise their children adequately.

Vicarious liability applies specifically when the child is acting within the scope of their relationship with the parent, meaning that the actions taken are directly linked to the responsibilities and authority inherent in that family role. For instance, if a child accidentally causes damage while playing in a neighborhood or through negligent behavior, the parent may face liability for that incident.

In contrast, product liability pertains to manufacturers and sellers being held responsible for defective products, negligence is a broader legal concept concerning direct responsibility for one’s own actions, and public liability involves responsibility for damages or injuries caused to the general public, neither of which inherently assign responsibility for a child's actions to a parent.