Negligence is characterized by which of the following?

Negligence is primarily characterized by a breach of a duty of care that leads to unreasonable actions. In the context of negligence, an individual or entity has an obligation to act in a way that is reasonable and prudent, adhering to a standard of care that prevents harm to others. When this duty is breached—meaning that an individual fails to uphold their responsibility, resulting in actions (or inactions) that a reasonable person would not take—this constitutes negligence.

This aspect of negligence is crucial in various legal contexts, including personal injury cases, where the plaintiff must establish that the defendant had a duty to act reasonably, breached that duty, and that this breach caused harm to the plaintiff. The focus is on the reasonableness of the actions or decisions made, which is why this choice correctly encapsulates the essence of negligence.

Contextually, the other options describe elements that do not represent the core definition of negligence. For instance, intentionally causing harm aligns more with assault and battery rather than negligence. Caution in performing duties suggests a careful approach, which does not directly address the negligence concept of failing to meet a standard of care. Accidentally causing harm, while related to negligence, lacks the specific emphasis on the breach of duty and unreasonable actions that define