Legal Definitions - dangerous instrumentality

Dangerous instrumentality refers to an object, substance, or situation that is so inherently dangerous that it can cause serious bodily harm or death without any human interference. It can be used as a basis for strict liability, which means that the person responsible for the dangerous instrumentality can be held liable for any harm caused, even if they were not directly involved in the incident.

• A loaded gun
• A poisonous chemical
• A live electrical wire
• A vicious dog

These examples illustrate the definition of dangerous instrumentality because they are all capable of causing serious harm or death without any human intervention. For example, a loaded gun can accidentally discharge and injure or kill someone, even if no one is handling it at the time. Similarly, a poisonous chemical can cause harm if it is spilled or released into the environment, even if no one intentionally ingests it.