Legal Definitions - Strict Liability

Definition: Strict liability is a legal concept where a person can be held responsible for their actions, even if they did not intend to cause harm. This applies to both criminal and civil cases.

• Criminal Law: Possession crimes and statutory rape are examples of strict liability offenses. This means that a person can be charged with these crimes even if they did not know they were breaking the law.
• Tort Law: Possession of certain animals and abnormally dangerous activities are examples of activities for which a plaintiff may be held strictly liable. For example, if someone owns a wild animal and it attacks someone, they can be held responsible for the harm caused, even if they did not intend for the animal to attack.
• Products Liability: In the area of torts known as products liability, there is a sub-category known as strict products liability which applies when a defective product for which an appropriate defendant holds responsibility causes injury to an appropriate plaintiff. For example, if a company sells a product that is defective and it causes harm to someone, they can be held responsible for the harm caused, even if they did not intend for the product to be defective.

These examples illustrate how strict liability can be applied in different areas of law. In each case, the person or company can be held responsible for their actions, even if they did not intend to cause harm. This is because strict liability focuses on the harm caused, rather than the intent of the person or company.