How can Cockrell v. Pearl River Valley Water Supply Dist. and Lyon v. Carey be reconciled? Both involve an agent's unacceptable behavior (assault) but in Lyon, the agent's actions were imputed to the principal, and in Cockrell, the agent's actions were not imputed to the principal. • What is the controlling rule of law governing the principal's liability for the agent's actions? • The law governing the liability of principals for acts of their agents is well settled. Thus, the cases turn on the facts. Who decides what the facts are in a lawsuit?
