In which scenario would vicarious liability be applicable?

Vicarious liability is a legal principle that holds one party responsible for the actions of another party, typically in an employer-employee context. In this scenario, a bar owner can be held liable for the actions of their drunk customer if those actions lead to harm. This is because the bar owner has a responsibility to ensure that customers are served alcohol responsibly and to take actions to prevent potential harm that could arise from over-serving alcohol.

The bar owner’s liability stems from the relationship they have with the customer, as their business is directly related to the customer's behavior while at the establishment. If the customer behaves recklessly due to intoxication and causes harm to themselves or others, the bar owner may be held vicariously liable for failing to intervene effectively.

In comparison, the other scenarios do not fit the criteria for vicarious liability. When a person intentionally causes harm, that act falls squarely on that individual’s own actions. Manufacturing defects leading to injury attributes liability to the manufacturer, not to a third party based on the actions of the manufacturer. Finally, the theft of property does not involve liability based on the actions of another but rather pertains to property crime. Thus, in the context of vicarious liability, option B stands out as the