What is the doctrine of "strict liability" in tort law?

The doctrine of "strict liability" in tort law refers to a situation where a party can be held liable for damages or injuries caused by their actions or products, without the need to prove that they were negligent or at fault. This concept does not require any showing of intent or carelessness; rather, the mere fact that an action has resulted in harm is sufficient for liability to be imposed.

Strict liability typically applies in cases involving inherently dangerous activities or defective products. In these scenarios, the law places the burden on the party responsible for the activity or product to ensure safety and accountability, regardless of the precautions they took. The rationale behind this doctrine is to promote public safety and ensure that those who engage in certain high-risk activities or produce goods for consumers assume the corresponding risks.

The other options do not accurately encapsulate the principle of strict liability. Liability based on negligence requires a demonstration of fault, while strict liability does not. Strict liability does not exclusively apply to breaches of contract; rather, it is a tort concept. Lastly, the notion of limiting liability to economic damages is unrelated to the idea of strict liability, which encompasses various forms of damages that may include non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.