Opinion ID: 2372386
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Are employees of a lessee liable for the waste they cause?

Text: ¶ 35 Because Eastwood's claim for waste is not barred, the question arises whether Warren can be individually liable for the waste he caused within the scope of his employment as Horse Harbor's manager. The law is well settled that an employee who tortiously causes injury to a third person may be held personally liable to that person regardless of whether he or she committed the tort while acting within the scope of employment. 27 Am.Jur.2d Employment Relationship § 409 (2004); accord Finney v. Farmers Ins. Co., 92 Wash.2d 748, 754, 600 P.2d 1272 (1979) (stating that a principal and an agent are jointly and severally liable for all damages suffered by a plaintiff who has been injured as a result of the agent's negligence). The trial court found Warren was liable for his gross negligence in permitting waste, and the independent duty doctrine does not bar Eastwood's claim for waste. Warren may be held individually liable.