In malpractice liability, who can be held liable for a PA's actions?

In malpractice liability, who can be held liable for a PA's actions?

• A. The PA for their own actions; the supervising physician and/or practice may share liability depending on control, supervision, and employment relationships.
• B. Only the PA is liable; supervisor cannot be liable.
• C. Only the supervising physician is liable; PA never liable.
• D. Liability does not apply in PA practice.

Answer: (C)

When a PA provides care, liability is not limited to the PA alone. The PA can be personally liable for their own negligent acts, such as errors in performing a procedure or misreading a chart. At the same time, the supervising physician can be liable for negligent supervision or for decisions to delegate tasks—especially if they entrust procedures to a PA without adequate training or oversight. The practice or employer can also bear responsibility under theories like vicarious liability or negligent hiring/entrustment, depending on the control, supervision, and employment relationship involved. In real cases, liability is often shared: the PA’s own negligence can be charged to the PA, while the supervising physician and/or practice can incur liability if they failed to supervise appropriately or allowed unsafe practice. Dismissing liability for the supervisor or the practice doesn’t reflect how supervision and agency work in medical settings.

When a PA provides care, liability is not limited to the PA alone. The PA can be personally liable for their own negligent acts, such as errors in performing a procedure or misreading a chart. At the same time, the supervising physician can be liable for negligent supervision or for decisions to delegate tasks—especially if they entrust procedures to a PA without adequate training or oversight. The practice or employer can also bear responsibility under theories like vicarious liability or negligent hiring/entrustment, depending on the control, supervision, and employment relationship involved.

In real cases, liability is often shared: the PA’s own negligence can be charged to the PA, while the supervising physician and/or practice can incur liability if they failed to supervise appropriately or allowed unsafe practice. Dismissing liability for the supervisor or the practice doesn’t reflect how supervision and agency work in medical settings.