Liability of Partners and Joint Venturers
What is the legal liability of partners and joint venturers in personal injury actions against the business owners?
Generally, each member of a partnership or joint venture is vicariously liable for the wrongful conduct of another member if the wrongful conduct occurs within the scope and course of the affairs of the partnership or joint venture. Therefore, each member of a partnership or joint venture will be liable for personal injuries caused by another member’s negligence if the negligence occurs within the scope and course of the affairs of the business.
For example, A and B form a general partnership for the purpose of establishing a chain of tanning salons. A and B buy a company car with partnership funds. While driving to a partnership meeting in the company car, B runs into a pedestrian. The pedestrian files a personal injury action against both A and B. If the pedestrian establishes that the accident was a result of B’s negligence, then both A and B will be liable for the pedestrian’s injuries because the accident occurred within the scope and course of the affairs of the partnership. Therefore, the pedestrian may recover damages from either A or B, or both of them.
Personal Injury Plaintiffs Trial Lawyers • Maryland & Washington, D.C.
From Rockville, MD law offices, our experienced trial lawyers for plaintiffs represent victims in accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death settlements and lawsuits throughout Washington, D.C. and Maryland, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Carroll County, Charles County, Frederick County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County.
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