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ARE PARENTS LIABLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THEIR CHILDREN?
With school shootings on our minds, it is important to know when parents might be liable in civil cases
for actions of their children. Civil suits do not involve fines and jail or prison sentences as do criminal
charges, but may result in "money damages" to be paid by the defendants.
Auto or homeowners liability insurance may cover such damages if the harm has been a result of
negligence and not because of intentional acts. The insurance companies also provide the lawyers to defend
the case.
Ordinarily, a parent is not responsible for a child's act, but there are exceptions. If a child is
an agent of the parent (i.e. doing something for the parent at the time of an accident), the parent will be
liable for the child's act just as an employer is liable for the acts of employees while on the job; this
is called vicarious liability or respondeat superior.
A parent can also be liable if he or she negligently entrusts a dangerous thing to a child. For
example, if a parent knows a 17-year-old is a reckless driver, the parent may be liable for letting him
drive. If a parent knows that a child is incapable of responsibly handling a gun, the same theory might
apply. In addition, in Oklahoma a statute provides that parents must pay for injuries or property damage
up to $2,500 for criminal or delinquent acts of their children.
Call 1-800-739-ABEL (in Oklahoma), or 1-405-239-7046 for a Free Initial
Consultation.
Abel Law Firm
900 N.E. 63rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Easy access to the building.
Free parking next to the building.
The firm handles cases exclusively on behalf of injured people in such areas as:
Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
Auto & Truck Accidents
Dangerous & Defective Products
Insurance Disputes
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Workplace, Construction, Farm & Industrial Injuries
Medical, Dental & Hospital Negligence
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