What is a key characteristic of strict liability in product liability cases?

In product liability cases involving strict liability, a key characteristic is that the supplier or manufacturer may be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product regardless of whether they conducted an inspection or took precautions to ensure the product's safety. This principle is rooted in the idea that manufacturers and suppliers have a responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for consumers. Thus, liability can arise even if the supplier was diligent in their procedures or had no knowledge of the defect at the time of sale.

This aspect of strict liability emphasizes consumer protection; it places the risk of loss on the manufacturer and allows consumers to seek compensation without needing to prove fault or negligence. Therefore, the focus is on the condition of the product itself rather than the actions of the supplier.

The requirement that an injury must occur for the liability to apply underlines that strict liability is only invoked when there are actual damages incurred, but this is secondary to the characteristic of liability irrespective of inspections or negation of negligence.