Which element is NOT part of the definition of negligence?

The concept of negligence is rooted in the idea that individuals or entities have a responsibility to act with a certain standard of care that, when not met, can lead to harm to others. The critical components of negligence typically include duty owed, breach of that duty, causation, and damages resulting from injury.

Intent to harm is not a required element of negligence. Unlike intentional torts, which specifically involve deliberate actions with the intent to cause harm, negligence focuses on the failure to act with reasonable care, regardless of any intention to cause harm. A person may behave negligently without any intention to do so; therefore, intent does not factor into the determination of negligence. The other elements—duty owed, causation, and damages—are essential in establishing whether negligence occurred, making it clear why intent to harm is excluded from its definition.