Street Law: A Course in Practical Law

Chapter 21: Strict Liability

Cases and Resources

Dangerous Activities
Animals
Defective Products
Defenses to Strict Liability

Dangerous Activities
FindLaw: Strict Liability
Explore this site about strict liability. Certain types of activities are so inherently dangerous that negligence or intent to do harm are not needed to collect damages. For example, if you live near a place where dangerous fluids are stored, you will probably be able to collect damages for any harm caused by the fluids. Compare this harm to that caused by opening a soda bottle. Opening soda bottles is not an inherently dangerous activity and strict liability might not apply.

Toxic Tort Law Firm
Read a description of toxic torts by a law firm that helps clients recover toxic tort damages. What types of toxic torts does this law firm specifically mention?

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Animals
Pets v. Wild Animals
Remember that pets are treated differently by tort law than wild animals. When wild animals are involved, courts almost always apply strict liability.

Zoos
Read this article about a tiger that escaped from its cage at the San Francisco zoo and killed a teenager. Should the zoo be liable even if the boy and his friends were taunting the tiger?

Stokes County, NC, Code
Read one community's code regarding inherently dangerous animals. What does the law forbid? Where are dangerous animals allowed to be kept? What type of liability applies if a dangerous animal causes harm?

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Defective Products
Product Liability Law
Explore an overview of product liability law. How did this law develop over time?

Defective Products in the News
News articles and commentary about defective products from The New York Times.

Federal Government Product Safety Guide
This in-depth government site educates consumers about products and product safety. Under what categories are consumer products classified? What safety concerns does the government identify for these products?

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
This site features consumer safety information and interactive activities to teach young people about consumer products and safety. What types of products can harm young people and how should they protect themselves?

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Defenses to Strict Liability
FindLaw: Strict Liability Defenses
Scroll through a review of strict liability as it relates to products, and read the information on defenses. Why do you think it is so difficult to defend a strict liability case? Do you agree with strict liability?

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