What describes a "breach of duty" in a negligence case?

A "breach of duty" in a negligence case refers specifically to the failure to meet the expected standard of care that a reasonable person would uphold in similar circumstances. This standard is typically defined by what is considered reasonable behavior to prevent harm to others. When a person's actions or inactions fall short of this standard, it constitutes a breach of duty.

For example, if a driver does not follow traffic laws and causes an accident, that driver has breached their duty of care to operate their vehicle safely. Similarly, a doctor failing to adhere to accepted medical practices may be found to have breached their duty to provide proper medical care to a patient.

Other options do not accurately represent "breach of duty." Intentional harm relates to intentional torts rather than negligence, while merely discussing hazards does not directly equate to failing to uphold a standard of care unless one is specifically required to warn others in a specific context. Finally, simply taking extra precautions does not indicate a breach; in fact, it often demonstrates adherence to a duty of care rather than a failure to meet it.