Third-Party Liability

Third-party liability is legal responsibility imposed on someone other than the direct perpetrator. In a sexual abuse case, a third party can be an institution, employer, property operator, program, or another entity whose own conduct contributed to the harm. Theories may include negligent hiring, retention, supervision, reporting failures, premises liability, or vicarious liability. Responsibility depends on duty, notice, control, causation, statutory protections, and the law of the jurisdiction.