Definition of "Dual capacity doctrine"

Rule of law under which a defendant who has two or more relationships with a plaintiff may be liable under any of these relationships. For example, an employer may be liable in two ways to an employee who incurs bodily injury on the job as the result of using a product or service produced by that employer: first, as the employer of the injured employee, and second, as the producer of the product or service that caused injury to the employee. The injured employee may then either collect benefits for job-related injuries under workers compensation or sue the employer as the producer of the defective product or service. For example, if an employee injures an arm at work while operating a machine with a defective blade that the employer manufactures, the employee can receive benefits under workers compensation or sue the employer as the manufacturer of the defective blade.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Policy that remains in full force and effect for the life of the insured, with premium payments being made for the same period. ...

Future benefits to be paid to the policyholders and beneficiaries, assigned surpluses, and miscellaneous debts. These primary liabilities take the form of reserves, which must be listed on ...

Inland marine policy that protects an insured against loss for property that is shipped. One policy may be written for a single shipment, as for a family moving household goods, or it may ...

Fidelity bond that covers a business if employees in listed positions commit dishonest acts, such as stealing money. ...

Expenses taken out when benefits are paid. For example, a specific dollar amount is subtracted from a monthly income payment for company expenses. ...

Term life insurance, usually purchased at an airport by an airplane passenger. It provides a death payment to the passenger's beneficiary in the event of a fatal accident on one or more ...

property insurer that distributes its products through a direct selling system. Traditionally, insurers often were known as direct writers if they used either a direct selling system or an ...

That which cannot be touched; having no meaning to the senses. It is represented by incorporeal rights in property (that which is evidence or represents value; for example, a copyright). ...

Coverage for business risks including goods in transit, fire, burglary, and theft. A common example is the COMMERCIAL PACKAGE POLICY (CPP). ...

Popular Insurance Questions