William Johnson v. Cirilo David

Summary

This 1906 Supreme Court case established important precedent on vicarious liability under the Civil Code. Johnson sued carriage owner David for damages after being struck by David's cochero-driven carriage while bicycling. The lower courts found in favor of Johnson, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that under Civil Code Articles 1902-1910, liability for another's negligent acts is limited to specifically enumerated situations. Since David was absent during the accident and there was no evidence of negligent hiring or supervision of the cochero, he could not be held vicariously liable. The decision clarified that employers are not automatically liable for employees' tortious acts absent specific statutory provisions or the employer's own negligence.