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Ostensible Agency

Meaning

Ostensible Agency, or apparent authority, is a legal principle where a hormonal health or wellness entity can be held vicariously liable for the clinical negligence of an independent contractor physician, even if no formal employment relationship exists. This doctrine applies when the company’s branding, marketing, and operational presentation lead a reasonable patient to believe that the physician is an employee or direct agent of the organization. The patient relies on the reputation of the larger entity for their clinical care.