What is defined as a lack of reasonable care to prevent harm to others?

Negligence is defined as a lack of reasonable care that results in harm to others. This legal concept plays a critical role in personal liability cases, where an individual is found to have failed in their duty to act with care, leading to injury or damage. In the context of negligence, "reasonable care" refers to the level of caution and concern that an average person would use in similar circumstances to avoid causing harm. When a person does not meet this standard of care, and someone suffers as a result, they may be liable for the damages incurred.

In contrast, malpractice pertains specifically to professional negligence where a service provider fails to deliver the standard of care expected within their profession, such as in medical or legal practices. Fraud involves deceitful practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain, while assault refers to the intentional act of causing apprehension of harmful or offensive contact. These definitions highlight the distinct nature of each term, emphasizing that negligence primarily revolves around unintentional harm due to insufficient care.