What is the legal term for the failure to use care that results in harm to others?

The term that describes the failure to use reasonable care that results in harm to others is negligence. This concept is a cornerstone of tort law, where it refers to situations where a person's conduct falls below the standard of care expected to protect others from unreasonable risks of harm. Negligence can arise in various circumstances, such as car accidents, medical malpractice, or unsafe premises.

To demonstrate negligence, it typically must be proven that the party had a duty to act with care, breached that duty, and as a direct result of that breach, harm occurred to another party. This legal framework serves to establish accountability and provide remedies for those harmed.

In contrast, assault refers to an intentional act that causes another person to fear imminent harm, whereas liability refers to being responsible for something, especially in terms of legal obligations. Fraud involves deceitful practices conducted to secure unfair or unlawful gain, which is different from the unintentional act of negligence. Understanding these distinctions helps to clarify why negligence is the appropriate terminology when discussing care-related failures leading to harm.