Torts
Strict Liability
Definition
Strict liability imposes legal responsibility on a defendant without requiring proof of negligence or fault. It applies in certain well-defined contexts: abnormally dangerous activities, defective products (under Restatement (Second) of Torts Section 402A), and the keeping of wild animals. The policy rationale is that certain activities are so inherently risky that the party engaging in them should bear the cost of resulting injuries, regardless of the precautions taken.
Example
A company that uses explosives for demolition is strictly liable for blast damage to neighboring buildings, even if it exercised utmost care.