Fletcher v. Rylands (Rylands v. Fletcher)

Fletcher v. Rylands (1868) is a landmark legal case in English law that established the principle of strict liability for landowners. In this case, Rylands built a reservoir on his land, but it burst and flooded Fletcher’s nearby mine. The court ruled that if someone brings something potentially dangerous onto their property and it causes damage if it escapes, they can be held liable—even without negligence. This case set the foundation for modern "strict liability" in cases involving hazardous activities or substances.