Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Law Practice Exam

In legal terms, what is an act of negligence?

1. A deliberate action to harm someone

2. A failure to take reasonable care

3. An obligatory contract breach

4. A common business practice

The correct answer is: A failure to take reasonable care

An act of negligence refers to a situation where an individual fails to take reasonable care to prevent harm to others. This lack of care can result in accidents or injuries, making it a key concept in the realm of tort law. The law recognizes that individuals have a duty to act in a manner that does not pose unnecessary risk to others, and failing to do so may lead to legal liability. In this context, the term "reasonable care" pertains to the standard of behavior expected from a person in a given situation. If someone does not meet this standard, and their actions (or inactions) directly contribute to someone else's injury or damage, that individual may be found negligent. Deliberate actions to harm someone instead describe intentional torts, which are treated differently than negligence. An obligatory contract breach relates to failure to meet contractual obligations, which falls under contract law rather than tort law. Lastly, a common business practice might involve accepted methods or actions in a business setting but does not inherently relate to the concept of negligence unless those practices fail to uphold a reasonable standard of care.