What term describes the liability a supervisor has for the actions of their subordinate?

The term that describes the liability a supervisor has for the actions of their subordinate is vicarious liability. This legal doctrine holds an employer or principal legally responsible for negligent conduct that occurs within the scope of employment or authority of their employee or agent. Essentially, if a subordinate commits a wrongful act while performing their job duties, the supervisor or employer can be held liable for that action. This principle is crucial in understanding the responsibilities of employers regarding their employees' conduct and underscores the importance of proper oversight and training.

The other terms in this context are related to different types of legal liability. For instance, products liability pertains to manufacturers and sellers being held liable for defective products that cause harm. General liability refers to a broad range of liabilities faced by individuals or businesses. Comparative liability involves distributing responsibility among multiple parties following an incident, which is not focused on the employer-employee relationship that characterizes vicarious liability.