Torts II

Charitable Immunity

Charitable immunity is a doctrine that exempts charitable organizations from tort liability.

In modern times, charitable immunity has been largely rejected.

In a substantial majority of states, nongovernmental charitable institutions are liable for their own negligence and for the negligence of its agents and employees acting within the scope of their employment.

• Virginia is not part of this majority. In Virginia, a charity is immune as long as it exercised due care in hiring and retaining agents.