STRICT LIABILITY

in tort and criminal law, liability without a showing of fault, or the need to show fault. See ultrahazardous activity. EXAMPLE: Adrienne harbors wild animals on her estate. A child accidentally enters the estate and is harmed by one of these animals. Adrienne will usually be held strictly liable for the injury regardless of the fact that the child did not belong there or that the child scared the animal. Society imposes that cost on Adrienne merely for keeping the animals. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016