When can a defendant be held liable for negligence?

In a negligence case, a defendant can only be held liable if all the essential elements of negligence are satisfied. These elements are duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

A breach of duty occurs when the defendant fails to meet the standard of care expected in a given situation, which can lead to negligent conduct. Damages are the actual harm or injury suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant's actions. Established causation means demonstrating that the defendant's breach directly caused the plaintiff's damages; in other words, the link between the negligent act and the harm must be clear.

Therefore, for a defendant to be found liable for negligence, it is necessary that all these components are present. This is why the correct answer encompasses all the elements: a breach of duty, the existence of damages, and established causation. Each of these factors plays a critical role in proving negligence, making it essential that they are all considered together.