Ace the JD Next Exam 2025 – Level Up Your Law Journey!

The correct answer is strict liability. This legal doctrine imposes liability on a party without the need to prove negligence or fault. In the context of product liability, this means that if a product is found to be defective and that defect causes injury to a consumer, the manufacturer or seller can be held liable, regardless of whether they exercised reasonable care in its design or manufacture.

Strict liability is particularly relevant in cases involving defective products because it prioritizes consumer safety over the need to establish the behavior of the seller or manufacturer. This doctrine encourages manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe for public use, as they cannot defend against liability by merely proving they acted reasonably.

In contrast, negligence requires proof that a party failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure directly resulted in harm. Comparative fault involves assessing the degree of fault of each party involved in an incident, while res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine that allows an inference of negligence based on the nature of the accident itself.

Thus, strict liability stands out as the doctrine that unequivocally holds parties liable for injuries resulting from their products, emphasizing accountability for product safety.