Your Cart
Strict Liability Torts

Strict Liability Torts

Strict liability torts are legal claims that hold a party liable for harm or injury caused by their actions or products, regardless of whether they were negligent or intended to cause harm. In a strict liability case, the plaintiff (the injured party) must prove that:


  1. The defendant engaged in an activity that is inherently dangerous or involves a risk of harm to others.
  2. The plaintiff was harmed or injured as a result of the defendant's activity or product.


In strict liability cases, the plaintiff does not have to prove that the defendant was negligent or intended to cause harm. Instead, liability is imposed on the defendant simply because they engaged in the activity or produced the product that caused the harm.


Strict liability torts often arise in cases involving dangerous or defective products, such as drugs, medical devices, and consumer products. They can also apply in cases involving dangerous activities, such as blasting or using explosives. Here are a few specific examples of strict liability torts:


Product liability: A manufacturer of a power tool has a duty to design and manufacture a product that is reasonably safe for its intended use. If a defect in the product causes harm to a consumer, the manufacturer may be held strictly liable for the harm, regardless of whether they were negligent.


Ultrahazardous activities: A company that uses explosives to demolish a building has a duty to take appropriate precautions to prevent harm to nearby buildings or people. If the explosion causes harm to a nearby building or person, the company may be held strictly liable for the harm, even if they took all reasonable precautions.


Dangerous animals: A person who keeps an exotic animal, such as a lion, has a duty to prevent harm to others that may result from the animal's behaviour. If the animal attacks and injures someone, the owner may be held strictly liable for the harm, even if they took precautions to prevent the attack.


Defective pharmaceuticals: A drug company has a duty to ensure that its products are safe for use and to warn consumers of any known risks or side effects. If a defect in the drug causes harm to a consumer, the drug company may be held strictly liable for the harm, regardless of whether they were negligent.


You can learn more about this topic and relevant case law with our Tort Law notes.

Trusted by thousands of law students worldwide

Where are our students from?

Yale University

Council of Europe

Baker Mckenzie 

University of Chicago

Columbia University

New York University

University of Michigan 

INSEAD

University College London (UCL)

London School of Economics (LSE)

King’s College London (KCL)

University of London

University of Manchester

University of Zurich

University of York

Brandeis University

University of Exeter

University of Sheffield

Boston University

University of Washington

University of Leeds

University of Law

Royal Holloway, University of London 

Birkbeck, University of London

SOAS, University of London

University of Kent

University of Hull

Queen’s University Belfast

Toronto Metropolitan University

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Your perfect companion for open-book and closed-book exams

Diagrams and Charts

Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

Clear and Succinct Definitions

Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

Statutory Provisions

Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

Case Summaries

We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

Rules and Exceptions

Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

Terminology

Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

Case Law

Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

Law Essay Guide

You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

Problem Question Guide

We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

Structured Explanations

Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

Legal Research

You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

Exam-focused

All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.