What is “strict tort liability”?
Strict tort liability is a legal concept used in products liability law in Washington. It is a special kind of liability that makes a company or an individual liable for injuries and damages caused by a product regardless of fault or negligence. This means that even if the company or individual producing the product did not intend to cause harm or did not act carelessly, they could still be legally obligated to pay for damages caused by their product. In Washington, strict tort liability is codified in the Product Liability Act, which states that a manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a product can be held strictly liable for damages and negligence caused by their product only if the product is “defective”. Defects can be in the design, the manufacture, or the instructions and warnings that accompany the product. Strict tort liability is an important legal concept in product liability law because it holds individuals and companies accountable for the damages their products cause regardless of fault or negligence. It is also important to consumers as it allows them to seek justice when they suffer injury or damage due to a defective product.
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