Strict Liability Torts


Strict liability is a legal concept that means that people can be held responsible for their actions even if they did not intend to cause harm to another person.

A person is held liable for strict liability torts regardless of intent or negligence.

  • main reason for imposing strict liability is to discourage unreasonably risky behavior
  • classic example:
    • keeping wild animals as pets
    • are inherently dangerous
  • In a tort based on strict liability, the plaintiff must show:
    • that the defendant engaged in unreasonably dangerous activities
    • that he or she was harmed
  • defendant bears the burden of proving that the activities were not unreasonably dangerous