Mens rea generally only applies to criminal law. Lack of mens rea doesn't insulate you from civil liability, even if it might affect it. See the first paragrap

Mens rea generally only applies to criminal law. Lack of mens rea doesn't insulate you from civil liability, even if it might affect it. See the first paragraph at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mens_rea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mens_rea