10.2190/C0D7-J2M6-RQQY-PFKY C0D7J2M6RQQYPFKY 5 Injured Customers Make Employers Pay Under the Negligent Hiring Doctrine: Evolution, Explanation, and Avoidance of Negligent Hiring Litigation 305 317 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 C0D7J2M6RQQYPFKY.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=C0D7J2M6RQQYPFKY 4 Jeffrey Bennett Cohen Widener University School of Law Litigation aimed at compensating victims injured by the intentional or negligent acts of others has blossomed in recent years. Through the negligent hiring doctrine, injured customers may hold employers responsible for hiring decisions and the injury that proximately results. Through more effective preemployment investigations, coupled with employers' basic desire to produce the best products and services, customers will be safer and cases of uncompensated victims will be minimized. The negligent hiring doctrine is that conduit. This article explains the history of negligent hiring, its present-day implications, and suggestions to employers for avoiding negligent hiring litigation in the future.