Legal Definitions - degree of negligence

Degree of negligence refers to the varying levels of negligence that are typically categorized as slight negligence, ordinary negligence, and gross negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another person or property.

• Slight negligence: A driver who momentarily takes their eyes off the road and swerves slightly, but does not cause an accident.
• Ordinary negligence: A doctor who fails to diagnose a patient's condition correctly, resulting in harm to the patient.
• Gross negligence: A construction company that fails to follow safety regulations, resulting in a worker's death.

The examples illustrate the different levels of negligence. Slight negligence is a minor mistake that does not cause significant harm. Ordinary negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm. Gross negligence is a severe lack of care that shows a complete disregard for the safety of others.