Negligent Hiring Liability Explained

Summary

Employers in Ohio can be held liable for negligent hiring if they fail to conduct a reasonable investigation into an employees background and the employee subsequently causes harm. Liability typically depends on whether the employees actions were foreseeable based on their past conduct and whether those actions occurred within the scope of their employment. In the case of Sunset Consulting, the best answer is that they are liable for negligent hiring because they did not check Juan’s criminal background, which led to harm. For the second scenario, the company will likely win the lawsuit because Stewart was not acting within the scope of his employment when the accident occurred.

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Which of these answers would best answer the question above: Sunset Consulting is not liable for negligent hiring because Juan did not assault the server on company property. Sunset Consulting is liable for negligent hiring because it had an obligation to check Juan’s criminal background, it did not do so, and this led to Juan harming another person. Sunset Consulting is not liable for negligent hiring because the mailroom job does not subject people to risk, and the evidence of Juan’s unfitness was not related to the job. Sunset Consulting is liable under respondeat superior for Juan’s harmful act because it occurred during the workday.
Did Sunset Consulting have any knowledge or suspicion of Juan's criminal background before hiring him?
assume no other info is provided
Based on the information provided, it seems like the question is about negligent hiring. In Ohio:

- Employers can be held liable for negligent hiring if they fail to conduct a reasonable investigation into an employee's background and the employee subsequently causes harm.

- However, liability typically depends on whether the employee's actions were foreseeable based on their past conduct and whether those actions occurred within the scope of their employment.

Without more information, it's difficult to provide a definitive answer. It would be helpful to know more about Sunset Consulting's hiring practices and whether Juan's assault could have been reasonably foreseen based on his past conduct.
What would be the best answer?
The best answer would likely be: "Sunset Consulting is liable for negligent hiring because it had an obligation to check Juan’s criminal background, it did not do so, and this led to Juan harming another person."
Stewart, an employee of your company, drove from Columbus to Chicago to attend a business meeting. Traffic was light, and he arrived in Chicago about an hour early. Deciding to take advantage of the extra time, he decided to do some sight-seeing. As he was taking in the sights while driving on North Shore Boulevard, he hit another car, damaging the car and injuring the driver. The injured driver sues your company for damages. What will be the likely outcome of the lawsuit? Your company will win the lawsuit because, even though Stewart is an employee, he wasn’t acting in the scope of his employment when the accident occurred. Your company will lose the lawsuit because Stewart is an employee and he was acting within the scope of his employment when the accident occurred. Your company will win the lawsuit because only the person who actually commits the tort is liable. Your company will lose the lawsuit because employers are liable for the torts of its employees. Which of these answers would best answer the question assuming no other info is provided?
Was Stewart's sightseeing trip authorized or considered part of his work duties?
no
Based on the information provided, the best answer would likely be: "Your company will win the lawsuit because, even though Stewart is an employee, he wasn’t acting in the scope of his employment when the accident occurred."