Preventing workplace violence from negligent hiring in healthcare

Negligent hiring is emerging as one of the prime causes of healthcare employer liability for workplace violence. Healthcare administrators have been found liable for violent acts of employees both within and outside their normal scope of employment. The authors discuss negligent hiring doctrine and what the US courts have decided on negligent hiring cases. The discussion shows how liability in healthcare institutions can occur, and how the respondeat superior doctrine may no longer serve to limit employer liability. The authors suggest how to develop screening practices to reduce work-place violence and minimize negligent hiring lawsuits.