Which parties can be sued under the doctrine of strict liability?

The doctrine of strict liability holds certain parties accountable for the harm caused by defective products, regardless of whether those parties were negligent or intended to cause harm. This legal principle primarily applies to anyone involved in the manufacturing and distribution chain of a product.

The correct choice encompasses manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers because all three groups can be held liable if a defective product causes injury or damage. Manufacturers create the product, ensuring it is safe for consumer use, while wholesalers distribute those products and retailers sell them to end consumers. Under strict liability, each of these parties has a responsibility for the product's safety, which means they can all be sued if defects are found.

While manufacturers are often the primary target in strict liability cases due to their role in producing goods, wholesalers and retailers also play crucial roles in the supply chain. If a product is found to be defective, it can lead to lawsuits against any entity in the chain that contributed to putting that product into the hands of consumers.

In this context, the other choices are narrower in scope. Limiting accountability to only manufacturers or wholesalers excludes those who also have significant roles in the distribution and sale of the product, failing to recognize the shared responsibility present in the product liability framework. Thus, the comprehensive nature of choice C