What is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care to protect others from harm?

The concept of negligence is fundamentally linked to the failure to exercise reasonable care, which results in harm or injury to another person. It arises when a person or entity does not act as a reasonably prudent individual would under similar circumstances, leading to unintentional harm. This definition encapsulates the essence of negligence, highlighting the importance of a standard of care that one must uphold to avoid legal liability.

In legal terms, proving negligence requires establishing that a duty of care was owed, that the duty was breached, and that this breach caused actual harm or damage. This framework is pivotal in personal injury claims and many areas of law, making negligence a crucial aspect for understanding liability in various scenarios.

The other options represent different legal concepts. Liability loss relates to the financial consequences resulting from being deemed responsible for harm, while absolute liability is a legal doctrine holding a party responsible for damages regardless of fault or intent, typically seen in specific areas like hazardous materials. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are compensation awarded in addition to actual damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. None of these terms specifically describe the breach of reasonable care that characterizes negligence.