Opinion ID: 1693517
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: parental liability at common law

Text: ¶ 29. At common law, parents were not liable for the torts of their children. Bankert v. Threshermen's Mut. Ins. Co., 110 Wis. 2d 469, 473, 329 N.W.2d 150 (1983); Kumba v. Gilham, 103 Wis. 312, 315, 79 N.W. 325 (1899); Prosser, Law of Torts (4th ed. 1971), sec. 123; 59 Am. Jur. 2d Parent and Child § 130 (1971). [11] This court has often said that statutes enacted in derogation of the common law should be strictly construed. State ex rel. Chain O'Lakes P. Asso. V. Moses, 53 Wis. 2d 579, 583, 193 N.W.2d 708 (1972); Leach v. Leach, 261 Wis. 350, 357, 52 N.W.2d 896 (1952). ¶ 30. When Reyes brought suit against Cheryl Rothering, he sought claims under both the sponsorship statute, Wis. Stat. § 343.15(2)(b), and Wis. Stat. § 895.035, two parental liability statutes in derogation of the common law. ¶ 31. Wisconsin Stat. § 895.035(2) makes parents liable for personal injury and property damage caused by their minor children in any circumstances in which the parents or the children would not be liable at common law. This court reviewed that statute in N.E.M. v. Strigel, 208 Wis. 2d 1, 6-7, 559 N.W.2d 256 (1997), saying We must strictly construe § 895.035(4) because it is in derogation of the common law. ¶ 32. We think the same principle applies to § 343.15(2)(b). [12] A statute imputing a minor's negligence or wilful misconduct to a parent should be strictly construed, not to negate any manifest purpose of the legislature in enacting the statute but rather to honor the specific purpose of the legislature in enacting the statute. Construing § 343.15(2)(b) to reach a drive by shooting would not be a strict construction of the statute.