What does negligence refer to in legal terms?

Negligence in legal terms refers to a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances, leading to unintended harm or injury to another party. This concept falls under the category of civil injuries or torts, where the injured party seeks compensation for damages caused by the negligent actions of another.

In a tort case involving negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injuries as a direct result of that breach. This is a fundamental principle in personal injury law and underpins many claims in civil litigation, distinguishing it from criminal acts, intentional harm, or breaches of contract. Each of those options pertains to different areas of law and liability, but negligence specifically addresses the failure to act with reasonable care.