By David Landers , Attorney University of Tulsa College of Law
Updated by Stacy Barrett , Attorney UC Law San Francisco
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Historically, parents were not responsible for harm caused by their children solely based on the parent-child relationship. Under common law rules, parents are typically liable for the actions of their children only when:
Over time, lawmakers began passing parental responsibility laws to make it easier for people harmed by children to get compensation. After all, children rarely have enough money to pay for injuries and property damage they cause, which often leaves victims out in the cold. Under parental responsibility laws, parents become "vicariously liable" for the acts of their children and must foot the bill.
Lawmakers also use parental responsibility laws to motivate parents to supervise their children. The idea is that if parents have to bear the cost when their children misbehave they will be more likely to pay attention and intervene when necessary.
Hawaii passed the first parental responsibility law back in 1846. Now, nearly all states have laws imposing parental responsibility for their children's civil wrongs and criminal actions.
People harmed by children can typically sue parents based on parental responsibility laws or common law rules.
Are Parents Responsible for Their Kids' Crimes?Parents typically can't be criminally prosecuted for their children's crimes based solely on their status as parents. But they may be criminally prosecuted if they caused or contributed to their children's criminal acts. Laws vary from state to state, but it's not uncommon for parents to be prosecuted for encouraging their minor children to steal, failing to ensure that their children attend school, and allowing their underage children to drink alcohol.
In a first-of-its-kind prosecution in Michigan, the parents of a school shooter were convicted of involuntary manslaughter based on their son's violent acts. In November 2021, Ethan Crumbley killed four of his classmates and wounded seven other people at Oxford High. Prosecutors argued that his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, shared responsibility for the killings because they gave their son the murder weapon for Christmas and ignored signs of mental health struggles. Ethan was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December 2023. His parents were sentenced to serve between 10 and 15 years in prison in April 2024. Legal experts say the Crumbley prosecution could set a precedent for prosecutors charging parents with serious crimes because of actions taken by their children.
State laws vary as to when parents become legally responsible for the actions of their children and when that responsibility ends. Most states have parental responsibility laws that kick in when a child is born and end when a child turns 18 years old. A few states limit liability to children above a certain age (for example, 10 or 11) or extend responsibility up to the age of 21 years old.
Some states specify that their parental responsibility laws don't apply to emancipated minors or minors who are married.
As noted, parental responsibility laws vary quite a bit from state to state. If you're dealing with a legal issue related to parental liability you should talk to a lawyer in your area. Here is a small sampling of what these types of laws look like in different states.
California: Parents are liable for any "willful misconduct causing injury, death or property damage" by a minor under the age of 18. Parents may also be liable for a child's negligent driving, for the cost of cleaning up a child's graffiti, and for injuries and property damages caused by the discharge of a firearm when the parent allowed the child to have the firearm or left the fire accessible to the minor. Liability is limited. Limitations vary from $25,000 to $60,000 based on the type of harm caused.
(Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1714.1, 1714.3 (2024); Cal. Veh. Code §§ 17707-17708 (2024); Cal. Gov't Code § 38772 (2024).)
Illinois: Parents are liable for "willful or malicious" acts by minors under the age of 18 causing property damage or personal injury. Parents are also liable for a child's damage to any religious structure such as a church, synagogue, mosque, or cemetery. A parent's liability is capped at $20,000 plus attorneys' fees.
(740 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 115/1-7 (2024); 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/21-1.2 (2024).)
Maine: Parents are liable when a minor between the ages of 7 and 17 years old "willfully or maliciously" causes property damage or injury to a person. A parent's financial exposure is limited to $800, regardless of the amount of actual loss. Parents may also be liable for the negligent driving of a minor if they knowingly allow a minor to drive a car they own.
(Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 § 304 (2024); Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A § 1651 (2024).)
New York: Parents are liable when a child between the ages of 10 and 18 years old "willfully, maliciously, or unlawfully" damages or burglarizes property. New York also specifically holds parents accountable when a minor between the ages of 10 and 18 makes a false bomb threat. Liability is limited to $5,000.
(N.Y. Gen. Oblig. § 3-112 (2023).)
It's no secret that young drivers are at a higher risk of getting in car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers ages 20 and older per mile driven.
Who pays when a teenager gets in an accident? In many states, parents do. States hold parents responsible under different legal theories, including:
The family purpose rule. Many states hold parents liable for the actions of their teen drivers under a legal theory called vicarious liability. Similar laws make employers liable for an employee's car accident.
Negligent entrustment. Parents may also be legally and financially responsible for their teen driver when they knew or should have known their child was a danger on the road and let the teen drive anyway.
Driving privilege liability. A few states, including California and Florida, require parents to agree to accept responsibility for a minor teen's driving when the teen applies for a license.
Parental liability laws are complex. Whether you're a parent or someone who is trying to hold a parent liable, a lawyer can answer your questions. You'll need to know how the parental liability laws in your state apply to your situation and then you can decide what to do.
Learn more about getting help from a personal injury lawyer. When you're ready, you can connect with a lawyer directly from this page for free.