when is strict liability often applied? course hero

by Prof. Dino Kunde 8 min read

What is strict liability in law?

Strict liability, sometimes called absolute liability, is the legal responsibility for damages, or injury, even if the person found strictly liable was not at fault or negligent. Strict liability has been applied to certain activities in tort, such as holding an employer absolutely liable for the torts of her employees,...

What activities could result in strict liability?

Common hazardous activities that could result in strict liability include storing explosives or flammable liquids, blasting, accumulating sewage, and emitting toxic fumes. Although these activities may be hazardous, they may be appropriate or normal in one location but not another.

When is a risk so unusual to justify strict liability?

The essential question is whether the risk created is so unusual, either because of its magnitude or because of the circumstances surrounding it, as to justify the imposition of strict liability even though the activity is carried on with all reasonable care.

What is a strict liability case for design defect?

This strict liability case falls into the category of design defects. In this strict liability case, the formulation of the drug itself was defective, placing everyone who took it in harm’s way.

Why is strict liability important in business?

Strict product liability relaxes the burden of proof a plaintiff must meet in pursuing legal action against a small business. As a result, it makes running a business much riskier than under standard liability rules.

On what public policy grounds is strict liability imposed?

Strict liability is imposed on defendants whose activities are abnormally dangerous and/or involve dangerous animals and on defendants whose products are defective.

What is strict liability in business?

Strict liability means that you or your business is liable for damages and injuries caused to others, even if you were not at fault or negligent.

Which is an example of a law that imposes strict liability quizlet?

Persons who keep wild animals are strictly liable for any harm inflicted by the animals.

What is strict liability and when does it apply?

In both tort and criminal law, strict liability exists when a defendant is liable for committing an action, regardless of what his/her intent or mental state was when committing the action. In criminal law, possession crimes and statutory rape are both examples of strict liability offenses.

Under which of the following situations does strict product liability apply?

Generally, to prevail on a strict product liability claim, a plaintiff must prove that an inherent defect in a product caused the damages claimed. In other words, the plaintiff must prove (1) that the product was inherently defective and (2) that the defect in the product caused the injury or damage.

What are some examples of strict liability tort?

Examples of strict liability tortsDefective products (Product Liability)Animal attacks (dog bite lawsuits)Abnormally dangerous activities.

What does strict liability mean quizlet?

strict liability. Absolute legal responsibility for an injury that can be imposed on the wrongdoer without proof of carelessness or fault.

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in strict liability?

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in strict liability? Strict liability will apply regarding foods sold to the public that are defective or dangerous.

In what circumstances is strict liability applied quizlet?

strict liability applies to injuries of licensees, invitees and trespassers. a defense to strict liability that applies when dangers associated with certain products are so obvious that manufacturers need not to warn.

What is the basis for strict liability quizlet?

A defendant engaged in an abnormally dangerous activity will be held strictly liable—without any proof of negligence—for personal injuries and property damage caused by the activity, regardless of precautions taken to prevent the harm.

What are the elements of a cause of action for strict product liability under Restatement 2nd Torts 402a?

Generally, to prevail on a strict product liability claim, a plaintiff must prove that an inherent defect in a product caused the damages claimed. In other words, the plaintiff must prove (1) that the product was inherently defective and (2) that the defect in the product caused the injury or damage.

What two things are needed to prove strict liability?

To establish strict liability, the plaintiff needs to prove that: The defendant engaged in the abnormally dangerous activity or had control over the animal or product, and. The abnormally dangerous activity, animal, or product caused the plaintiff's injury.

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in strict liability?

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in strict liability? Strict liability will apply regarding foods sold to the public that are defective or dangerous.

Which of the following is a condition required for the imposition of strict liability?

Which of the following is a condition required for the imposition of strict liability? The activity is so inherently dangerous that it cannot ever be safely undertaken.

What are the elements of strict liability?

A plaintiff suing under a theory of strict liability will need to show that there was a defect, that the defect actually and proximately caused the plaintiff's injury, and that the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous.

Why is strict liability necessary?

More generally, strict liability was necessary to protect consumers as a matter of public policy and should act as an incentive to make sure that products and behavior are safe.

What to do if you are injured by strict liability?

Whether your case is an individual or class action claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

What is product liability?

There are 3 main theories of products liability law – defective manufacture, defective design, and failure to warn of risks. Defective manufacture can occur during production, when improper materials or activities created ...

What is strict liability?

Strict liability is a legal term referring to the holding of an individual or entity liable for damages or losses, without having to prove carelessness or mistake. The doctrine of strict liability is commonly applied to cases involving defective products. Such a claim relies, not on wrongdoing, but on the inherent hazards of the situation or product. To explore this concept, consider the following strict liability definition.

Who is liable for any physical harm or damages caused by an animal's intrusion onto someone else's property?

The owner of livestock, which refers to animals that are generally kept as an asset, rather than a pet, is liable for any physical harm or damages caused by an animal’s intrusion onto someone else’s property. This might occur if:

What is the assumption of risk?

Assumption of risk refers to situations in which a plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risks inherent in a certain dangerous activity, when he chose to participate. This may apply in extreme sporting activities, such as sky diving and rock climbing. It may also apply to a plaintiff employed in a fundamentally dangerous profession. Because the injured party in both of these scenarios knew beforehand of the dangers and risks, yet made a conscious choice to engage in the activity anyway, strict liability does not apply.

What is tort in law?

In civil law, a tort is an intentional or negligent act, a civil wrong, as opposed to a criminal act, which causes harm to another. A tort, then, is the basis for a civil lawsuit, and includes such acts as negligence, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and products liability. A strict liability tort holds a person ...

What is the meaning of "liability"?

Noun. Liability incurred for causing damage or harm to life, limb, or property without the necessity of proving intent or negligence.

How many types of defects are there in product liability?

There are three primary types of defect in products liability cases:

What happens if Marco sues his neighbor?

If Marco attempts to sue the neighbor for medical expenses and other damages, based on strict liability, as the dog is obviously dangerous. Marco is unlikely to win his case, however, as he knew the dog might be dangerous before he intentionally taunted the dog to wind him up into a frenzy.

Why is there strict liability for wild animals?

wild animals. there is strict liability for these types of animals because they are inherently dangerous. previous bite or vicious behavior. without a ____, it is hard to impose strict liability on a domestic animal. abnormally dangerous activities.

What does "high degree of risk" mean?

1. Existence of a high degree of risk of some harm to the person, land or chattels of others.

What happened to Sandy in the case of the Ds horse?

The Plaintiff, Sandy (Plaintiff), was injured when he was kicked by the Ds horse while trying to feed it. Defendant knew that the horse had vicious propensities.

How many gallons of acrylonitrile was loaded into a railroad car tank?

D loaded 20k gallons of liquid acrylonitrile (a toxic, flammable chemical used in textile manufacturing) into a railroad car tank.

Why is there strict liability for wild animals?from quizlet.com

wild animals. there is strict liability for these types of animals because they are inherently dangerous. previous bite or vicious behavior. without a ____, it is hard to impose strict liability on a domestic animal. abnormally dangerous activities.

What does "high degree of risk" mean?from quizlet.com

1. Existence of a high degree of risk of some harm to the person, land or chattels of others.

What happened to Sandy in the case of the Ds horse?from quizlet.com

The Plaintiff, Sandy (Plaintiff), was injured when he was kicked by the Ds horse while trying to feed it. Defendant knew that the horse had vicious propensities.

How many gallons of acrylonitrile was loaded into a railroad car tank?from quizlet.com

D loaded 20k gallons of liquid acrylonitrile (a toxic, flammable chemical used in textile manufacturing) into a railroad car tank.

What is strict liability?

Another form of strict liability comes with engaging in abnormally dangerous acts. An abnormally dangerous act can be defined as an act that carries a substantial risk to oneself and others' personal property and physical being. That's plenty of legal mumbo jumbo, think pyrotechnics, nuclear power plants and blasting rock with dynamite.

Who is liable for damages?

Owners or possessors of animals, whether livestock or dangerous animals that cause injury, are liable for damage. This includes wild animals that are commonly found in a particular location, like a museum or attraction, such as the javelinas in New Mexico. People who engage in abnormally dangerous acts, like pyrotechnics or blasting, may also be liable for injuries sustained by others. Of course, the court uses specific criteria to determine liability. Finally, when a product is defective in design, instructions or warning, the manufacturer may be liable for any injury that results from the defect. The manufacturer must be aware of the defect in advance.

Why is the manufacturer liable for the label?

The manufacturer is liable because the label gave the correct information but Karina did not measure her apartment to determine proper usage.

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Is ownership enough to hold you responsible?

Ownership is enough to hold you responsible. In other words, strict liability tort means a defendant is held fully liable for any injury sustained by another party regardless of whether the injury was intended. Dangerous animals are just one of three major strict liability categories.

What is strict liability?

Strict Liability. Absolute legal responsibility for an injury that can be imposed on the wrongdoer without proof of carelessness or fault. Strict liability, sometimes called absolute liability, is the legal responsibility for damages, or injury, even if the person found strictly liable was not at fault or negligent.

What is liability in contract?

2 in contract. Generally, liability in contract is to perform to the letter of the contract, so liability is often said to be strict. However, the parties may expressly or by implication have agreed that, for example, only reasonable care ought to be exercised. The doctrine of frustration operates to free a party in certain cases from ...

What is part 3 of the product liability law?

Part III sets out the economics of products liability law; first analyzing the effects of a simple strict liabilityrule, and then looking at the effects of the actual legal tests.

What is the definition of liability without proof of fault?

1 in tort and delict, liability without proof of fault, i.e. that the mere happening of a proscribed event incurs liability but always subject to certain defence. The defence recognized in common law cases are: (i) act of the Queen's enemies; (ii) Act of God, or in Scotland damnum fatale;

What is the doctrine of frustration?

The doctrine of frustration operates to free a party in certain cases from the obligation. 3 in criminal law, strict liability is an exception to the general rule of liability, which usually demands that it is essential to show mens rea.

Is the Praetorian edict strict?

Liability is still strict in matters covered by the Praetorian edict in respect of innkeepers, carriers and stable-keepers, although both in Scotland and in England the hotel proprietor, as defined, is given some exemptions from the rigours of strict liability, as indeed is the carrier. Some UK legislation imposes forms ...

Is nuisance a liability in Scotland?

In Scotland it has now been established that neither nuisance nor non-natural user are instances of strict liability but are instead governed by the concept of fault, with the exception, until the matter comes up for decision, of the diversion of the course of a natural stream. Liability is still strict in matters covered by ...

Strict Liability Tort Defined

Let’s break down this concept into parts. We’ll first start with tort. This term typically refers to a wrongful act that causes harm to another and for which relief may be sought in civil court through a compensatory award, commonly referred to as damages, or an injunction.

In What Instances Is It Used?

To give you a better idea of how and when strict liability tort is used, we’ll walk you through a few examples.

Work With a Professional

Of course, these are just examples, and the legal complexities of such cases can become quite convoluted. That’s why it’s well worth it to work with an experienced attorney.

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Definition of Strict Liability

What Is Strict Liability

  • When pursuing a legal action for liability, the plaintiff must generally prove that the defendant was somehow at fault, whether by negligence or direct fault, for the damages incurred by the plaintiff. The law, however, recognizes there are certain circumstances that are so inherently dangerous or hazardous, that there is no need for the plaintiff ...
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Strict Liability Torts

  • In civil law, a tort is an intentional or negligent act, a civil wrong, as opposed to a criminal act, which causes harm to another. A tort, then, is the basis for a civil lawsuit, and includes such acts as negligence, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and products liability. A strict liability tort holds a person or entity responsible for unintended consequences of his actions. In …
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Types of Strict Liability Torts

  • Fault in strict liability cases is not an issue. Therefore, proving that an injury or damages occurred, and that they occurred as a result of the plaintiff’s activities or product, becomes the focal point of any civil lawsuit on a strict liability tort. The law classifies three basic types of strict liability torts, though a plaintiff may argue that another situation, which does not fall within this list, falls unde…
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Defenses to Strict Liability Cases

  • When faced with a civil lawsuit or criminal charges of strict liability, a defendant may attempt to prove certain circumstances existed that would alleviate him of the strict liability obligation.
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Strict Liability in Prescription Drug Case

  • In 1999, the mega pharmaceutical company Merk released their new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (“NSAID”), Vioxx. Hailed as the newest and greatest answer to the aches and pains of arthritis and menstrual pain, Vioxx proved to be disastrous for the many patients who suffered strokes, heart attacks, and death while taking the drug. While Merk denied their medica…
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Related Legal Terms and Issues

  1. Civil Lawsuit– A lawsuit brought about in court when one person claims to have suffered a loss due to the actions of another person.
  2. Damages – A monetary award in compensation for a financial loss, loss of or damage to personal or real property, or an injury.
  3. Defendant– A party against whom a lawsuit has been filed in civil court, or who has been acc…
  1. Civil Lawsuit– A lawsuit brought about in court when one person claims to have suffered a loss due to the actions of another person.
  2. Damages – A monetary award in compensation for a financial loss, loss of or damage to personal or real property, or an injury.
  3. Defendant– A party against whom a lawsuit has been filed in civil court, or who has been accused of, or charged with, a crime or offense.
  4. Civil Liability – Responsibilityfor payment of damages, or for other court-imposed penalties in a civil lawsuit.