Rylands v. Fletcher

Rylands v. Fletcher is a key legal case from 1868 that established the "strict liability" principle in tort law. The case involved a mill owner (Fletcher) whose property was flooded due to a reservoir constructed by a neighboring landowner (Rylands). The court ruled that Rylands was responsible for the damages, even though he had not acted negligently. This case set a precedent that individuals or companies can be held liable for damages caused by hazardous activities or materials on their property, regardless of intent or negligence, promoting accountability for potential risks associated with one's property.