What is a key feature of 'strict liability' in tort law?

In tort law, strict liability is characterized by the fact that a defendant can be held liable for damages or injury caused by their actions, regardless of intent or negligence. This means that the focus is solely on the actions taken and whether they resulted in harm. Unlike other forms of liability, such as negligence where the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care, strict liability removes the necessity of proving intent or negligence. This approach is often applied in cases involving abnormally dangerous activities, where the nature of the activity itself imposes a higher degree of responsibility, thereby allowing plaintiffs to recover damages without the burden of proving fault.

This element distinguishes strict liability from other concepts in tort law where intent, negligence, or deliberate actions have to be established to hold a defendant responsible for harm.