Moore v. Crumpton

MITCHELL, Justice.

The most significant issue presented by this case is whether a parent of an unemancipated minor child may be held liable in damages for failing to take reasonable steps to exercise control over the child’s behavior. We conclude that a parent may be held liable in such situations, if the parent knows or should know that he or she has the ability and opportunity to control the child and knows or should know of the necessity for exercising such control.

The plaintiff brought this personal injury action against the defendant, John C. Crumpton, Jr. and his parents, the defendants…