JD Next Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A key characteristic of strict liability is that the defendant is responsible regardless of fault. This legal doctrine applies in situations where a party can be held liable for damages or injury caused by their actions or products, even if they did not intend to cause harm and were not negligent.

Strict liability typically applies to inherently dangerous activities, the handling of certain materials, or defective products. The rationale behind this is to encourage higher standards of safety and to protect individuals from potential harm irrespective of the precautions taken by the defendant.

In contrast, negligence requires the plaintiff to prove that the defendant failed to act in a reasonably careful manner, and intentional acts pertain to conduct that is meant to cause harm. Additionally, while strict liability often arises in contexts involving public hazards, it is not limited to that domain, as it can apply broadly in various circumstances involving significant risks.