Liability for damages caused by inanimate things

Abstract

THIS TEXT IS AN EXCERPT OF THE FRENCH CLASSIC «DE LA RESPONSABILITÉ DU FAIT DES CHOSES INANIMÉES», FOUNDER OF THE DOCTRINE OF STRICT LIABILITY IN THAT COUNTRY IT SHOWS THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE TRADITIONAL CRITERIA OF GUILT BASED TORT LIABILITY CONSIDERING THE CHANGES BROUGHT BY INDUSTRIALIZATION DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE 19TH TO THE 20TH CENTURY. IT PROPOSES RISK AS A MORE ADEQUATE CRITERION FOR IMPOSING LIABILITY