Strict products liability—also known as strict liability—is a legal theory of products liability that makes any person or entity in the commercial supply chain of a product—whether a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, or lessor—liable or responsible for personal injuries and property damage caused by a defective product—if the product was defective when it was transferred in the supply chain by that person or entity.

Strict liability attaches to such a transferor even if the transferor was not negligent with regard to the defective product. Strict liability is a public policy determination—usually made by state legislatures—that any person or entity in the commercial supply chain of a product should bear the financial risk of a defective product before the consumer does.

Products liability laws vary from state to state and many states have altered the common law rule of strict liability (located in a state’s court opinions or case law) by enacting statutes that limit strict liability to manufacturers; that require indemnification (financial protection) of wholesalers and retailers by manufacturers; or that make wholesalers and retailers of products strictly liable for defective products when the manufacturer is insolvent, unable to be located, or is not subject to the court’s jurisdiction (authority).

In Oklahoma, strict products liability is a legal doctrine that holds any party in the commercial supply chain responsible for damages caused by a defective product, regardless of whether they were negligent. This includes manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and lessors. Oklahoma adheres to this principle, which is rooted in public policy to protect consumers by ensuring that the financial burden of damages from defective products does not fall on them. While the specifics of products liability can vary by state, Oklahoma's approach to strict liability is designed to ensure that entities involved in the distribution of a product are accountable for its safety. It's important to note that state statutes may provide certain limitations or requirements for strict liability claims, such as indemnification clauses or exceptions when a manufacturer is insolvent or beyond the court's jurisdiction.