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Strict liability is a legal doctrine that makes a person responsible for the damages caused by their actions
regardless of fault. Strict liability often applies to those engaged in hazardous or
inherently dangerous ventures.
A classic example of strict liability is the owner of a tiger rehabilitation center;
no matter how strong the tiger cages are, if an animal escapes and causes damage and injury, the owner is held liable. Another
example is a contractor hiring a demolition subcontractor that lacks proper insurance. If the subcontractor
makes a mistake, the contractor is strictly liable for any damage that occures.
The law imputes strict liability to situations that it considers to be inherently dangerous; this discourages reckless
behavior and needless loss. It also has the effect of simplifying litigation and allowing the victim to become whole more
quickly.
Strict liability is important in the law of torts, product liability, corporations law,
and criminal law.
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