Florida Basic Recruit Training Program High Liability (First Aid) Practice Exam

Which term describes a failure to exercise reasonable care in a given situation?

1. Negligence

2. Breach of duty

3. Duty to act

4. Standard of care

The correct answer is: Negligence

The term that describes a failure to exercise reasonable care in a given situation is negligence. In legal contexts, negligence occurs when an individual or entity fails to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised under similar circumstances. This can result in harm or injury to another party. Negligence is a foundational concept in personal injury law, and it establishes the basis for liability when carelessness leads to avoidable harm. For example, if someone fails to clear snow from a sidewalk and a pedestrian slips and falls, that individual may be considered negligent for not taking reasonable steps to ensure safety. Breach of duty refers to the violation of a legal duty, which can arise from negligence but is more specific and not a general term for failures in care. Duty to act signifies the obligation to provide assistance under certain conditions, which doesn't capture the essence of failing to exercise reasonable care. Standard of care refers to the degree of caution and concern an ordinarily prudent person should exercise in similar situations, which sets the benchmark against which negligence is measured rather than defining the failure itself.