Which of the following best describes negligence?

Negligence is best defined as a failure to act in a manner that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. This encompasses actions where an individual does not exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would in the same situation, leading to unintended harm or injury to another individual.

The concept emphasizes that negligence is not about intentional wrongdoing but rather a lack of caution or care in one’s conduct that ultimately results in damage or injury. In a legal context, establishing negligence often involves proving that the accused had a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused harm as a result.

The other options describe different concepts. For instance, the first option reflects intentional harm, which is distinct from the unintentional nature of negligence. The third option pertains to fraud, which involves deception for profit, not a failure to exercise care. Lastly, excessive care causing injury would fall outside the realm of negligence, as negligence typically involves insufficient care rather than overstepping in efforts to protect others. This clarifies why the best description of negligence aligns with failing to act as a reasonable person would.