Rylands v. Fletcher Rule

Pronunciation: RY-landz vee FLETCH-er ROOL

Torts › Activities & Animals

Definition

Defendant who brings anything on land likely to cause harm if it escapes is strictly liable if it does escape and cause harm. English case establishing strict liability for non-natural use of land. Harm must result from thing's escape. Adopted in some U.S. jurisdictions for abnormally dangerous activities. Modern formulation focuses on abnormally dangerous rather than non-natural.

Related terms

• Nuisance — A tort involving substantial and unreasonable interference with another's use and enjoyment of land. Private nuisance protects individual…
• Trespass to Land — Intentional physical invasion of another's real property without permission. Requires only intent to enter the land, not intent…

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