Strict liability holds a person liable for damage caused by dangerous accumulations on their land, even in the absence of negligence.
1. The Rule Statement: Rylands v. Fletcher (1868)
Justice Blackburn formulated the classic rule:
"If a person brings and keeps on their land anything likely to do mischief if it escapes, they must keep it at their peril, and if they fail to do so, they are prima facie answerable for all the damage which is the natural consequence of its escape."
2. Four Essential Elements
- Dangerous Thing: Bringing and keeping something likely to do mischief (water, gas, electricity).
- Non-Natural Use: Special, non-ordinary accumulation (e.g., a massive reservoir vs. domestic pipes).
- Escape: The dangerous thing must escape outside the defendant's land.
- Damage: Resulting physical damage to the plaintiff's interest.
3. Strict Liability Defenses (Exceptions)
- Plaintiff's own default (plaintiff caused the escape).
- Act of God (Vis Major).
- Act of a Third Party / Stranger.
- Statutory Authorization.
- Consent of the Plaintiff (Volenti).