Legal Definitions - simple negligence

Definition: Simple negligence is a type of negligence where a person fails to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation. It refers to culpable carelessness and falls below the legal standard established to protect others against unreasonable risk of harm, except for conduct that is intentionally, wantonly, or willfully disregardful of others' rights.

Examples: An example of simple negligence is a driver who fails to stop at a red light and causes an accident. Another example is a store owner who fails to clean up a spill on the floor, causing a customer to slip and fall.

Explanation: In both examples, the individuals failed to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation. Their actions fell below the legal standard established to protect others against unreasonable risk of harm, making them culpably careless. As a result, they can be held liable for any damages caused by their negligence.