What is a strict liability tort?
Strict liability is a legal doctrine in tort law that makes a person responsible for the damages caused by their actions regardless of fault or intent. The elements of a strict liability tort are similar to the elements of a negligent tort (duty, breach, and injury) except that in a strict liability case, the victim doesn’t need to prove negligence. It doesn’t matter what sort of precautions the defendant takes, or if the defendant had good faith intentions. Strict liability is common in activities that are inherently dangerous, such as demolition projects, cases where animals are involved (dog bites), storing explosives, or using hazardous materials. Of course, the most common strict liability cases pertain to defectively manufactured products or drugs. In such cases, purchasers of the product, as well as injured guests, bystanders, and others with no direct relationship with the product may sue for damages caused by the product, regardless of the manufacturer’s intent.