What does negligence involve?

Negligence involves careless neglect and is characterized by a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have in similar circumstances. In legal terms, negligence occurs when an individual or entity acts or fails to act in a way that a reasonable person would, leading to unintended harm or injury to another party. This concept underscores the importance of responsibility in actions and inactions, emphasizing that negligence is typically not about intentional wrongdoing but rather a lack of due diligence or attention that results in harm.

The other concepts listed, such as intentional harm or criminal intent, involve a purposeful action or mindset aimed at causing damage, which differentiates them significantly from negligence. Strict liability, meanwhile, refers to holding a party liable without the need to prove negligence or fault, usually in cases involving inherently dangerous activities or defective products. In contrast, negligence requires a thorough examination of the duty of care and the breach of that duty, resulting in damages as a direct consequence.