In the case of Turner v. Univ. of Cincinnati, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 18AP-518, 2020-Ohio-248, an Ohio appellate court held that an agency relationship for the purposes of liability is not created just because a student attends a university.
In this case, a student apart of a university athletic club was driving teammates in their personal vehicle when they got into an accident. An injured teammate sued the university for the injuries under the doctrine of vicarious liability.
The Ohio appellate court held that vicarious liability did not apply because no agency relationship existed. The Ohio appellate court reasoned that no agency relationship existed because the student driver did not hold themself out as an employee of the university and that school policy prohibited the student driver from making the trip.
To read this case, click here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling and the McGown & Markling Team.
Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does it contain – legal advice. Legal jurisprudence is like the always changing like the Midwestern weather. As a result, this single blog entry cannot substitute for consultation with a McGown & Markling attorney. If legal advice is needed with respect to a specific factual situation, please feel free to contact a McGown & Markling attorney.