Torts Before 1L: Strict Liability, Products Liability, Nuisance, and Land-Based Harms

Torts Before 1L: Strict Liability, Products Liability, Nuisance, and Land-Based Harms

From Law School by The Law School of America

June 6, 2026 · 1h 1m

About this episode

This episode provides a comprehensive guide to understanding complex categories of tort liability beyond standard negligence.

📘 View Study Guide Mastering Tort Law: Beyond Ordinary Negligence This episode offers a comprehensive guide to understanding the complex categories of tort liability that go beyond standard negligence. Whether you're preparing for law school exams or the bar, you'll gain clarity on strict liability, product defects, land-based harms, and defenses, equipping you with a structured approach to analyze intricate fact patterns. Most tort claims are built around negligently failing to act carefully. But what happens when society decides that even the most cautious conduct isn't enough to prevent harm? This episode reveals the behind-the-scenes shift in tort law from a focus on fault to a system that emphasizes policy, risk, and economic efficiency. Whether you're prepping for the bar exam or just want a clearer picture of how dangerous activities, wild animals, and defective products are regulated—this is your essential guide. We dive into the core principles of strict liability—the legal framework where acting carefully simply isn’t enough—and explore how courts determine when an activity is so risky that the law imposes responsibility regardless of fault. You’ll discover how…

Topics covered

  • tort law
  • strict liability
  • products liability
  • nuisance
  • land-based harms
  • law school preparation

Keywords

  • tort law
  • strict liability
  • products liability
  • negligence
  • land-based harms
  • risk
  • economic efficiency
  • defenses

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mastering Tort Law: Beyond Ordinary Negligence, Rylands v. Fletcher

More episodes of Law School

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Law School podcast page.