strict liability

a defendant's absolute responsibility for harm caused by a class of ultra-hazardous activities or products. The doctrine of strict liability, while its application is at the discretion of the court, generally applies to activities (such as demolition using explosives) or products (such as radioactive materials) that are so fundamentally dangerous that liability is automatic assigned to the defendant regardless of any negligence on the part of the injured.

Liam creates sculpture from found materials. One day, trolling through a salvage yard, Liam comes across an interesting metallic object which he hangs from a leather strap and wears around his neck. In a short period of time, Liam begins to feel sick and develops reddish blotches on his chest that appear to be burns. It is discovered that the metallic object is radioactive and was once part of a research reactor at a local university. Liam sues the manufacturer of the reactor under the doctrine of strict liability for injuries suffered.

• absolute liability