Chapter X - Agency
Section 225
Section 225: Injury from the principal’s neglect
A principal must compensate an agent for injury caused by the principal’s neglect or lack of skill.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Indian Contract Act, 1872 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
The principal must make compensation to his agent in respect of injury caused to such agent by the principal’s neglect or want of skill.
Illustration
A employs B as a bricklayer in building a house, and puts up the scaffolding himself. The scaffolding is unskilfully put up, and B is in consequence hurt. A must make compensation to B.
Rule and business relevance
The statutory illustration concerns unsafe scaffolding supplied by the principal for the agent’s work. Causation between the principal’s conduct and injury is essential.
Limits and related provisions
Do not assume every workplace injury automatically satisfies this section. Other employment, safety or compensation laws may also apply.
Hypothetical business example
Hypothetical example: A principal builds unsafe scaffolding used by the appointed worker, who is injured because of that defect. The principal’s neglect or want of skill and resulting injury are assessed.
Practical decision flow
Identify the principal’s neglect or want of skill.
Connect that conduct to the agent’s injury.
Preserve incident, medical and expense evidence and review other applicable law.
Check the applicable legal framework
This guide explains the central provision. Applicable State amendments, the agreement, transaction date and other governing laws can affect its application. Check the current legal framework before relying on it for a commercial decision.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the principal’s neglect or want of skill.
- Connect that conduct to the agent’s injury.
- Preserve incident, medical and expense evidence and review other applicable law.
Avoid
- Do not assume every workplace injury automatically satisfies this section. Other employment, safety or compensation laws may also apply.
Glossary
- Neglect
- The principal’s failure of care causing the stated injury.
- Want of skill
- Lack of skill in the principal’s conduct causing injury.
Frequently asked questions
Must the principal’s conduct cause the injury?
Yes. The section expressly links the injury to neglect or want of skill.
Does this replace every workplace compensation law?
No. Other applicable statutory protections require separate consideration.
What does the illustration concern?
An agent injured by scaffolding unskilfully put up by the principal.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026