Which of the following defines negligence in a legal context?

Negligence in a legal context is defined as a breach of duty that results in harm or damage to another person. This concept establishes that an individual or entity has a responsibility to act with a certain standard of care, and when they fail to meet that standard, it can lead to injury or loss. The key components that must be proven in a negligence claim are the existence of a duty owed, a breach of that duty, causation linking that breach to the harm suffered, and damages resulting from the injury.

While a failure to perform a legal obligation pertains to negligence, it does not encompass all circumstances that define it. Intentional wrongdoing is distinctly different, as negligence involves unintentional actions or omissions. A complete defense in tort law can vary depending on circumstances, but it does not define negligence itself; rather, negligence represents a failure to act appropriately. Thus, the essence of negligence centers around the breach of duty that directly causes harm, positioning it as a framework for legal accountability when one party's actions negatively impact another.