Negligence is a fundamental concept in law that plays a large role in personal injury lawsuits, specifically in determining liability.

Summary

  • Negligence is the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances, often central in personal injury lawsuits to determine liability.
  • The “reasonable person” standard is used to assess whether an individual’s actions were appropriate, regardless of their specific traits or circumstances.
  • Proving negligence requires demonstrating four key elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages, all supported by evidence like witness statements or medical records.
  • Different types of negligence include ordinary negligence, gross negligence, and contributory negligence, each with varying legal implications and consequences.