Monell v. Department of Social Services

In Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978), the U.S. Supreme Court held that municipal liability cannot rest on the doctrine of respondeat superior could a governmental entity be responsible under 42 U.S.C.S. § 1983, and claims against a county and officers acting in their official capacities must fail unless execution of a government policy inflicted an injury.

However, the Court observed, "There is certainly no constitutional impediment to municipal liability."