What legal principle refers to the complete legal liability for injury caused by one's actions?

Strict liability refers to the legal principle where an individual or entity can be held completely responsible for harm or injury caused by their actions, regardless of fault or intent. This principle applies particularly in cases involving inherently dangerous activities, defective products, or situations where liability is imposed regardless of the standard of care exercised.

The focus on strict liability is that the party is held responsible for the consequences of their actions, even if they did not intend to cause harm or were not negligent in their conduct. This principle is intended to ensure that victims can obtain compensation without needing to prove negligence or fault.

In contrast, vicarious liability typically involves holding one party accountable for the actions of another (like an employer for an employee), joint liability involves two or more parties being held accountable together, and negligent liability requires proof of negligence, which means demonstrating that a duty was owed, breached, and directly caused the injury. Each of these alternatives involves different considerations regarding fault and the nature of the liability, making strict liability unique in its complete accountability for specific types of harm.