Does the legal doctrine respondeat superior apply to an independent contractor?
Respondeat superior - Latin for "let the master speak" does not
apply to the acts of an independent contractor.
Of course, it all depends on your jurisdiction. Different states
have different laws, but normally, you cannot sue an employer for
the acts of an independent contractor. Of course, to make things
more difficult, each state has its own definitions of what an
independent contractor are.
Generally, the more control the employer has over a person, the
lower the chances are that the person is an independent
contractor.
Bottom line - contact a lawyer.