Which standard of care applies to children in negligence cases?

In negligence cases involving children, the appropriate standard of care is the "child standard," which takes into account the age, intelligence, and experience of the child at the time of the incident. This standard recognizes that children do not have the same level of maturity and judgment as adults. Therefore, the actions of a child are judged against what a reasonable child of similar age would have done in the same situation.

This child-specific standard is particularly relevant when assessing whether the child acted with the requisite degree of care that a reasonably careful child would exhibit under similar circumstances. It is especially utilized in cases where a child's actions could lead to potential negligence claims, allowing for a more contextually fair evaluation of their behavior.

In contrast, the other standards mentioned are designed for different contexts. The reasonable adult standard requires individuals to act as a reasonably prudent person would, which is inappropriate for children. The professional standard pertains to those with specialized knowledge and skills, assessing their conduct against an established standard in their profession. The common carrier standard applies specifically to entities that transport goods or passengers for a fee, holding them to a higher duty of care. Each of these standards serves its specific purpose, but the child standard is uniquely tailored to assess the actions of minors.