respondeat superior doctrine (Minnesota) · Go Syfert
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respondeat superior doctrine in Minnesota

38 Minnesota opinions name it 2 courts 1897–2014 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Minnesota courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (17)

CaseFollowedCited
M.L. v. Magnusongreen
minnctapp · 1995 · cited in 4 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2002–2007
2 sentences

2007M.L. v. Magnuson, 531 N.W.2d 849, 858 (Minn.App.1995), review denied (Minn. Jul. 20, 1995).

2002Negligent Supervision Negligent supervision is derived “from the doctrine of respondeat superior” and, therefore, in order to successfully make out a claim for negligent supervision, a party must show “that the employee’s actions occurred within the scope of employment.” M.L. v. Magnuson, 531 N.W.2d 849, 858 (Minn.App.1995), review denied (Minn. July 20, 1995).

44
Schneider v. Buckmangreen
minn · 1988 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2008–2009
2 sentences

2009See id. (identifying a four-pronged collateral-estoppel test in which the privity prong is equivalent to that in the res-judicata test). [2] Appellant conceded at oral argument that under some circumstances an attorney and a client could be found to be in privity for purposes of res judicata, but in this case, attorney does not argue privity on any ground other than existence of the attorney-client relationship. [3] Note that an employee-employer relationship does not create de facto privity, as recognized in Schneider v. Buckman, 433 N.W.2d 98, 101-02 (Minn.1988), where, under the doctrine of

2009Note that an employee-employer relationship does not create de facto privity, as recognized in Schneider v. Buckman, 433 N.W.2d 98, 101-02 (Minn.1988), where, under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employee and employer were found to be jointly and severally liable, making separate actions against them permissible. .

22
Hagen v. Burmeister & Associates, Inc.green
minn · 2001 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2007–2007
2 sentences

2007The supreme court has interpreted the doctrine in Minnesota to hold an employer liable for even the intentional misconduct of its employees when "(1) the source of the attack is related to the duties of the employee, and (2) the assault occurs within work-related limits of time and place." Id. (quotation omitted). "[A]n important consideration in determining whether an act is related to the duties of employment is whether the act was foreseeable." Hagen v. Burmeister & Assocs., Inc., 633 N.W.2d 497, 504 (Minn. 2001).

2007The supreme court has interpreted the doctrine in Minnesota to hold an employer liable for even the intentional misconduct of its employees when “(1) the source of the attack is related to the duties of the employee, and (2) the assault occurs within work-related limits of time and place.” Id. (quotation omitted). “[A]n important consideration in determining whether an act is related to the duties of employment is whether the act was foreseeable.” Hagen v. Burmeister & Assocs., Inc., 633 N.W.2d 497, 504 (Minn. 2001).

22
Marston v. Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry & Neurology, Ltd.green
minn · 1983 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1993–2002
2 sentences

2002In Marston v. Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology, Ltd., the supreme court affirmed the Lange rule and held that where the plaintiff provided evidence that “sexual relations between a psychologist and a patient is a well-known hazard and thus, to a degree, foreseeable and a risk of employment” a question of fact exists as to whether an employer is liable on a respondeat superior claim for a psychologist’s sexual misconduct with a patient. 329 N.W.2d 306, 310-11 (Minn.1982).

1993See Marston v. Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry & Neurology, Ltd., 329 N.W.2d 306 (Minn.1982).

22
Kaiser v. Memorial Blood Center of Minneapolis, Inc.green
minn · 1992 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1995–2002
2 sentences

2002See Kaiser v. Mem'l Blood Ctr. of Minneapolis, Inc., 486 N.W.2d 762, 767 (Minn.1992); Grondahl v. Bulluck, 318 N.W.2d 240, 244 (Minn.1982).

1995See Kaiser v. Memorial Blood Ctr. of Mpls., 486 N.W.2d 762, 767 (Minn.1992) (citing Grondahl v. Bulluck, 318 N.W.2d 240, 244 (Minn.1982)).

22
Grondahl v. Bulluckgreen
minn · 1982 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1995–2002
2 sentences

2002See Kaiser v. Mem'l Blood Ctr. of Minneapolis, Inc., 486 N.W.2d 762, 767 (Minn.1992); Grondahl v. Bulluck, 318 N.W.2d 240, 244 (Minn.1982).

1995See Kaiser v. Memorial Blood Ctr. of Mpls., 486 N.W.2d 762, 767 (Minn.1992) (citing Grondahl v. Bulluck, 318 N.W.2d 240, 244 (Minn.1982)).

22
Lange v. National Biscuit Companygreen
minn · 1973 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1994–1999
2 sentences

1999The majority, citing Lange v. National Biscuit Co., 297 Minn. 399, 403 , 211 N.W.2d 783, 785 (1973), also turns to the policy behind the doctrine of respondeat superior when it states that an employer’s liability “stems from public policy rather than from any fault of the employer.” This policy determination should have limits, but the majority’s interpretation of orn-ease law leaves almost no barrier in Minnesota to recovery by persons injured by the criminal acts of employees when, as is the case here, there is no evidence of negligence on the part of the employer.

1999The majority, citing Lange v. National Biscuit Co., 297 Minn. 399, 403 , 211 N.W.2d 783, 785 (1973), also turns to the policy behind the doctrine of respondeat superior when it states that an employer’s liability “stems from public policy rather than from any fault of the employer.” This policy determination should have limits, but the majority’s interpretation of orn-ease law leaves almost no barrier in Minnesota to recovery by persons injured by the criminal acts of employees when, as is the case here, there is no evidence of negligence on the part of the employer.

22
Watson v. Metropolitan Transit Commissiongreen
minn · 1996 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014Transit Comm’n, 553 N.W.2d 406, 415 (Minn.1996) (“Where an employee or agent is protected by official immunity, the government entity will not be called on to indemnify that individual nor will the government entity be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior.”).

11
Urban v. American Legion Department of Minnesotagreen
minn · 2006 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014Legion Dep’t of Minn., 723 N.W.2d 1, 4-6 (Minn.2006) (finding the Legislature had clearly stated that “licensees” were responsible under the Civil Damages Act thus impliedly did not intend for the common law doctrine of respondeat superior to apply to CDA liability). 7 Axelberg next argues that the common law defense of necessity should be available because we have referred to the implied consent law as “quasi-criminal,” and therefore, common law defenses available in criminal cases should likewise apply to implied consent cases.

11
D.M.S. v. Barbergreen
minn · 2002 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2013–2013
1 sentence

2013Similarly, “[negligent supervision is the failure of an employer to exercise ordinary care in supervising the employment relationship so as to prevent foreseeable misconduct of an employee from causing harm to others.” Olson v. First Church of Nazareno, 661 N.W.2d 254, 264-65 (Minn.App.2003) (“[N]egligent supervision derives from the doctrine of respondeat superior, so that a plaintiff must prove that the employee’s action occurred within the scope of employment.”); see also D.M.S. v. Barber, 645 N.W.2d 383, 390 (Minn.2002) (“Under the well-established principle of respondeat superior, an empl

11
Olson v. First Church of Nazarenegreen
minnctapp · 2003 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2013–2013
1 sentence

2013Similarly, “[negligent supervision is the failure of an employer to exercise ordinary care in supervising the employment relationship so as to prevent foreseeable misconduct of an employee from causing harm to others.” Olson v. First Church of Nazareno, 661 N.W.2d 254, 264-65 (Minn.App.2003) (“[N]egligent supervision derives from the doctrine of respondeat superior, so that a plaintiff must prove that the employee’s action occurred within the scope of employment.”); see also D.M.S. v. Barber, 645 N.W.2d 383, 390 (Minn.2002) (“Under the well-established principle of respondeat superior, an empl

11
Mark Manicki v. Brian Zeilmann and City of Ottawagreen
ca7 · 2006 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2009–2009
1 sentence

2009Manicki v. Zeilmann, 443 F.3d 922, 926 (7th Cir.2006) (citing, among other cases, Lawlor v. Nat'l Screen Serv.

11
Westby v. Itasca Countygreen
minn · 1980 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1996–1996
1 sentence

1996See Minn. Stat. § 466.02 (1994); Westby v. Itasca County, 290 N.W.2d 437, 438 (Minn.1980).

11
Rettman v. City of Litchfieldgreen
minn · 1984 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
1 sentence

1995We must affirm a decision to deny a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict “if there is any competent evidence reasonably tending to sustain the verdict.” Rettman v. City of Litchfield, 354 N.W.2d 426, 429 (Minn.1984) (citation omitted).

11
Semrad v. Edina Realty, Inc.green
minn · 1992 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
1 sentence

1993See Semrad v. Edina Realty, Inc., 493 N.W.2d 528, 534 (Minn.1992).

11
Rosenthal & Company v. Commodity Futures Trading Commissiongreen
ca7 · 1986 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992"Principals are strictly liable for their agents' acts — even if the agents are not employees — if the principals authorize or ratify the acts or even just create an appearance that the acts are authorized." Rosenthal & Co. v. Commodity Futures Trading Comm'n, 802 F.2d 963, 966 (7th Cir.1986) (commodity brokerage vicariously liable for fraud of salesperson).

11
Northernaire Productions, Inc. v. County of Crow Winggreen
minn · 1976 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
2 sentences

1992See Northernaire Prods., Inc. v. County of Crow Wing, 309 Minn. 386, 388 , 244 N.W.2d 279, 281 (1976) (where plaintiff was found to have no cause of action against individual county officials it was unnecessary to consider whether the county was vicariously liable); accord Roderick v. Snyder Bros.

1992See Northernaire Prods., Inc. v. County of Crow Wing, 309 Minn. 386, 388 , 244 N.W.2d 279, 281 (1976) (where plaintiff was found to have no cause of action against individual county officials it was unnecessary to consider whether the county was vicariously liable); accord Roderick v. Snyder Bros.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Minnesota. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (28)

CaseCitedYears
Rait v. New England Furniture & Carpet Co. neutral
minn · 1896
2 sentences

1925Co. 66 Minn. 76 , 68 N. W. 729 , Mr. Justice Mitchell said: “In every case the decisive question in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is, had the defendant the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong. * * * If this control existed, it makes no difference whether the person doing the injury was the ‘servant’ of the defendant, in the popular sense of that word, or a person merely employed to do a specified job or piece of work.” In Meyers v. Tri-State Automobile Co. 121 Minn. 68 , 140 N. W. 184 , it was said that the right

1925Co. 66 Minn. 76 , 68 N. W. 729 , Mr. Justice Mitchell said: “In every case the decisive question in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is, had the defendant the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong. * * * If this control existed, it makes no difference whether the person doing the injury was the ‘servant’ of the defendant, in the popular sense of that word, or a person merely employed to do a specified job or piece of work.” In Meyers v. Tri-State Automobile Co. 121 Minn. 68 , 140 N. W. 184 , it was said that the right

41897–1925
Fahrendorff Ex Rel. Fahrendorff v. North Homes, Inc. green
minn · 1999
2 sentences

2007Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, "liability stems not from any fault of the employer, but from a public policy determination that liability for acts committed within the scope of employment should be allocated to the employer as a cost of engaging in that business." Id.

2007Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, “liability stems not from any fault of the employer, but from a public policy determination that liability for acts committed within the scope of employment should be allocated to' the employer as a cost of engaging in that business.” Id.

22007–2007
Yunker v. Honeywell, Inc. green
minnctapp · 1993
2 sentences

2003Yunker, 496 N.W.2d at 422 .

1995Yunker, 496 N.W.2d at 422 .

21995–2003
Meyers v. Tri-State Automobile Co. green
minn · 1913
2 sentences

1925Co. 66 Minn. 76 , 68 N. W. 729 , Mr. Justice Mitchell said: “In every case the decisive question in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is, had the defendant the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong. * * * If this control existed, it makes no difference whether the person doing the injury was the ‘servant’ of the defendant, in the popular sense of that word, or a person merely employed to do a specified job or piece of work.” In Meyers v. Tri-State Automobile Co. 121 Minn. 68 , 140 N. W. 184 , it was said that the right

1925Co. 66 Minn. 76 , 68 N. W. 729 , Mr. Justice Mitchell said: “In every case the decisive question in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is, had the defendant the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong. * * * If this control existed, it makes no difference whether the person doing the injury was the ‘servant’ of the defendant, in the popular sense of that word, or a person merely employed to do a specified job or piece of work.” In Meyers v. Tri-State Automobile Co. 121 Minn. 68 , 140 N. W. 184 , it was said that the right

21914–1925
Gahagan v. Aermotor Co. green
minn · 1897
2 sentences

1897The decisive test “in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is whether the defendant had, under the contract of employment, the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong.” Eait v. New England, 66 Minn. 76 ; 68 N. W. 729 ; Gahagan v. Aermotor, 67 Minn. 252 , 69 N. W. 914 .

1897The decisive test “in determining whether the doctrine of respondeat superior applies is whether the defendant had, under the contract of employment, the right to control in the given particular the conduct of the person doing the wrong.” Eait v. New England, 66 Minn. 76 ; 68 N. W. 729 ; Gahagan v. Aermotor, 67 Minn. 252 , 69 N. W. 914 .

21897–1914
Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District green
scotus · 1998
2 sentences

1999Dist., 524 U.S. 274 , ___, 118 S.Ct. 1989, 2000 , 141 L.Ed.2d 277 (1998). [2] We do not, however, concur with the dissent's statement that "[t]here is nothing in the record to suggest that Kist's conduct was anything but unusual or startling." While the information is more relevant to a direct liability action than a respondeat superior claim, the record does show that two prior allegations of sexual misconduct against other female residents were levied against Kist during his employment at I.T.A.S.K.I.N.

1999Dist., 524 U.S. 274 , ___, 118 S.Ct. 1989, 2000 , 141 L.Ed.2d 277 (1998). [2] We do not, however, concur with the dissent's statement that "[t]here is nothing in the record to suggest that Kist's conduct was anything but unusual or startling." While the information is more relevant to a direct liability action than a respondeat superior claim, the record does show that two prior allegations of sexual misconduct against other female residents were levied against Kist during his employment at I.T.A.S.K.I.N.

11999–1999
Jett v. Dallas Independent School District green
scotus · 1989
1 sentence

1992Id.

11992–1992
Jamison v. Encarnacion green
scotus · 1930
2 sentences

1986In Jamison v. Encamacion, 281 U.S. 635 , 50 S.Ct. 440 , 74 L.Ed. 1082 (1930), the Court applied the doctrine of respondeat superior and held that the term “negligence” in the Act was broad enough to include an assault committed by a railway employee in the course of discharging his or her duties and in furtherance of the railroad’s business.

1986In Jamison v. Encamacion, 281 U.S. 635 , 50 S.Ct. 440 , 74 L.Ed. 1082 (1930), the Court applied the doctrine of respondeat superior and held that the term “negligence” in the Act was broad enough to include an assault committed by a railway employee in the course of discharging his or her duties and in furtherance of the railroad’s business.

11986–1986
Harrison v. Missouri Pacific Railroad green
scotus · 1963
2 sentences

1986In Harrison v. Missouri Pacific Railroad Co., 372 U.S. 248 , 83 S.Ct. 690 , 9 L.Ed.2d 711 (1963) (per curiam), the Court, recognizing a direct-negligence theory of liability under the Act, held that a railroad can be liable if it hires and retains an employee disposed toward violence and that employee intentionally assaults a co-employee.

1986In Harrison v. Missouri Pacific Railroad Co., 372 U.S. 248 , 83 S.Ct. 690 , 9 L.Ed.2d 711 (1963) (per curiam), the Court, recognizing a direct-negligence theory of liability under the Act, held that a railroad can be liable if it hires and retains an employee disposed toward violence and that employee intentionally assaults a co-employee.

11986–1986
Hubbard v. United Press International, Inc. green
minn · 1983
1 sentence

1986Under Hubbard v. United Press International Inc., 330 N.W.2d 428 (Minn.1983), to sustain a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress (1) the defendants' conduct must be extreme and outrageous, (2) it must be intentional or reckless, (3) it must cause emotional distress, and (4) the distress must be severe.

11986–1986
Wallstedt v. Swedish Hospital green
minn · 1945
2 sentences

1970The question arises as to whether the hospital is liable for the employee’s negligent conduct under the doctrine of respondeat superior or whether under that doctrine the surgeon is liable for her conduct as a “borrowed servant.” It appears from our authorities that generally, “when a hospital assigns its nurses to a duty for an operating surgeon in its operating room and surrenders to the surgeon the direction and control of the nurses in relation to the work to be done by them, the nurses become the servants of the operating surgeon insofar as their services *274 relate to the work so contro

1970The question arises as to whether the hospital is liable for the employee’s negligent conduct under the doctrine of respondeat superior or whether under that doctrine the surgeon is liable for her conduct as a “borrowed servant.” It appears from our authorities that generally, “when a hospital assigns its nurses to a duty for an operating surgeon in its operating room and surrenders to the surgeon the direction and control of the nurses in relation to the work to be done by them, the nurses become the servants of the operating surgeon insofar as their services *274 relate to the work so contro

11970–1970
Porter v. Grennan Bakeries, Inc. green
minn · 1944
2 sentences

1961Its true basis is largely one of public or social policy under which it has been determined that, irrespective of fault, a party should be held to respond for the acts of another. 2 In Porter v. Grennan Bakeries, Inc. 219 Minn. 14, 21 , 16 N. W. (2d) 906, 909 , we said: “Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, according to the generally accepted view, vicarious liability to third persons is imposed upon the master for his servant’s torts, not because the master is at fault, or because he authorized the particular act, or because the servant represents him, but because the servant is conduct

1961Its true basis is largely one of public or social policy under which it has been determined that, irrespective of fault, a party should be held to respond for the acts of another. 2 In Porter v. Grennan Bakeries, Inc. 219 Minn. 14, 21 , 16 N. W. (2d) 906, 909 , we said: “Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, according to the generally accepted view, vicarious liability to third persons is imposed upon the master for his servant’s torts, not because the master is at fault, or because he authorized the particular act, or because the servant represents him, but because the servant is conduct

11961–1961
Tschida v. Dorle green
minn · 1952
11961–1961
McDonald v. Western Union Telegraph Co., Inc. green
minn · 1957
2 sentences

1961Co. Inc. 250 Minn. 406 , 84 N. W. (2d) 630 .

1961Co. Inc. 250 Minn. 406 , 84 N. W. (2d) 630 .

11961–1961
Hanson v. Bailey green
minn · 1957
11961–1961
Bakal v. University Heights Sanitarium, Inc. neutral
ny · 1951
11952–1952
Elliason v. Western Coal & Coke Co. green
minn · 1925
11949–1949
Linden v. City Car Co. green
wis · 1941
11944–1944
Young v. Masci green
scotus · 1933
11943–1943
Clay County Land Co. v. Alcox green
minn · 1902
11937–1937
Robertson v. Sichel green
scotus · 1888
11933–1933
Waters v. Pioneer Fuel Co. green
minn · 1893
11915–1915
Corrigan v. Elsinger green
minn · 1900
11915–1915
State ex rel. Virginia & Rainy Lake Co. v. District Court neutral
minn · 1914
11915–1915
Standard Oil Co. v. Parkinson green
ca8 · 1907
11914–1914
Barg v. Bousfield green
minn · 1896
11902–1902
Whitson v. Ames neutral
minn · 1897
11902–1902
Vosbeck v. Kellogg neutral
minn · 1899
11902–1902

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MN § Minn. Stat. § 466.02 (3) MN § Minn. Stat. § 466.03 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

NY 391 (1876–2026) CA 298 (1889–2026) IL 245 (1866–2025) OH 215 (1883–2026) TX 184 (1876–2026) GA 165 (1928–2026) NC 119 (1902–2026) FL 105 (1920–2026) AL 104 (1914–2025) LA 96 (1927–2025) MO 92 (1874–2025) IN 87 (1864–2026) MI 81 (1911–2026) NJ 71 (1884–2026) VA 66 (1914–2025) CT 65 (1988–2026) WA 65 (1902–2026) AZ 65 (1938–2026) TN 61 (1924–2021) MD 52 (1934–2024) PA 46 (1891–2025) MA 44 (1920–2024) OR 42 (1902–2017) WI 42 (1922–2026) NM 39 (1939–2026) MN 38 (1897–2014) OK 37 (1912–2020) CO 37 (1928–2021) MS 34 (1884–2025) WV 32 (1898–2025) KS 30 (1909–2026) UT 30 (1926–2026) NE 28 (1912–2025) KY 27 (1928–2025) IA 25 (1903–2026) DC 24 (1945–2023) SC 20 (1923–2026) VT 18 (1890–2025) ID 16 (1962–2022) AR 16 (1906–2025) MT 14 (1932–2024) HI 13 (1957–2025) ND 12 (1935–2018) SD 12 (1932–2021) DE 11 (1951–2023) NH 11 (1985–2023) NV 9 (1978–2014) WY 9 (1980–2020) ME 8 (1923–2021) RI 8 (1949–2006) AK 7 (1971–2023) VI 4 (1998–2016)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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