Opinion ID: 1057613
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Relationship Between Physician Assistant, Supervising Physician, and Employer

Text: The gravamen of Plaintiff's lawsuit is that Maddox was negligent in his evaluation and treatment of her condition, resulting in injury to her. However, Plaintiff did not sue Maddox individually. Instead, she sued the Clinic and Dr. Adams. To prevail, Plaintiff must establish a legal basis for holding Defendants liable for the alleged malpractice committed by Maddox. Thus, before we address the proper standard of care applicable to Maddox, we must determine whether the negligence of Maddox, if proven, can provide a basis for judgment against either of the Defendants. In Tennessee, a principal may be held vicariously liable for the negligence of his or her agent, where the agent is acting within the actual or apparent scope of the agency. Boren ex rel. Boren v. Weeks, 251 S.W.3d 426, 432 (Tenn.2008). Whether an agency relationship exists between two persons is a question of fact and is determined by examining the agreement between the parties or the parties' actions. Id. This Court has not previously had an occasion to determine whether a physician assistant stands in an agency relationship with his or her supervising physician and/or with his employer.