In some personal injury cases, a defendant can be held legally responsible for damages even if they did not intend to cause harm and were not negligent. This legal principle is known as strict liability, and it allows victims to pursue compensation without having to prove fault or intent.
At Hillstone Law, we help injured victims understand their rights under California’s strict liability laws and fight for the compensation they deserve.
What Is Strict Liability?
Strict liability is exactly what it sounds like: liability without fault. Under this rule, a person or company can be held responsible for your injuries even if they exercised reasonable care. If their product, animal, or inherently dangerous activity caused your injuries, they can still be held liable regardless of intent or negligence.
In these cases, the focus is not on how careful the defendant was, but on the simple fact that your injury occurred as a result of their product or activity.
How Do You Win a Strict Liability Case?
To successfully bring a strict liability claim, you must prove:
- You were injured
- The defendant’s product, animal, or activity directly caused your injury
- You were using the product or encountered the danger in a reasonably foreseeable way
Importantly, you do not need to prove negligence or that the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally. If your injuries fall under a category covered by strict liability, the burden of proof is significantly reduced.
Common Types of Strict Liability Cases
Strict liability typically applies in the following three areas:
1. Defective Product Liability
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by dangerous or defective products. You only need to show:
- The product was defective when it left the manufacturer
- You used it as intended or in a foreseeable way
- You were injured because of the defect
Examples include faulty car parts, dangerous medical devices, or contaminated food products.
2. Dangerous Animals
If someone owns a wild or dangerous animal and it causes injury whether during transport, performance, or escape the owner can be held strictly liable. This includes exotic pets and sometimes even dogs with known aggression history.
3. Abnormally Dangerous Activities
Strict liability also applies to inherently hazardous activities like:
- Blasting or demolition work
- Transporting toxic chemicals
- Using explosives
If someone engages in an activity that poses an unreasonable risk to the public even with safety measures in place they can be held liable for any resulting harm.
Not All Injury Cases Involve Strict Liability
Strict liability does not apply to most car accidents or common negligence claims. In those situations, the injured party typically must prove that the defendant was careless or acted recklessly.
If you’re unsure whether your case qualifies under strict liability, our team at Hillstone Law can review the details and help determine the best legal strategy.
What Can You Recover in a Strict Liability Claim?
If your case qualifies under strict liability, you may be entitled to full compensation for your losses, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium (loss of companionship)
In some product defect cases, punitive damages may also be available if the conduct was particularly reckless or egregious.
Why Does Strict Liability Exist?
Strict liability laws exist to promote public safety and ensure accountability. Courts recognize that victims should not bear the financial burden when harm results from defective products or dangerous activities especially when the responsible party is in the best position to prevent the harm.
This doctrine also addresses the reality that critical evidence about how a product was made or what precautions were taken may be entirely in the defendant’s possession.
What If I Have a Strict Liability Case?
If your case falls under strict liability, you don’t need to prove that the other party was negligent but you still need to prove that their actions or product caused your injuries. This makes gathering documentation and expert support just as important.
At Hillstone Law, our personal injury attorneys know how to build strong strict liability claims. We’ll handle the investigation, communicate with insurers or manufacturers, and make sure your case is fully prepared for negotiation or trial, if necessary.
Contact Hillstone Law for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured due to a defective product, dangerous animal, or hazardous activity, you may have a valid strict liability claim. Let Hillstone Law help you pursue the compensation you’re legally entitled to under California law.
Call us today for a free consultation and let us fight for your recovery so you can focus on healing.
