Legal Definitions - negligent misrepresentation

Definition: Negligent misrepresentation is when someone makes a false or misleading statement without intending to deceive, but they should have taken more care to ensure the statement was true. This can include spoken or written words, as well as any other conduct that amounts to a false assertion.

Examples:

• If a real estate agent tells a potential buyer that a house has a new roof, but they didn't actually check to see if it was true, that could be considered negligent misrepresentation.
• If a car salesman tells a customer that a used car has never been in an accident, but they didn't check the car's history report, that could also be considered negligent misrepresentation.

These examples illustrate how someone can make a false statement without intending to deceive, but they still have a responsibility to ensure the statement is true. If they don't take reasonable care to verify the statement, they can be held liable for any harm caused by the false statement.