What type of conduct does negligence refer to in legal terms?

Negligence in legal terms specifically refers to carelessness that results in harm. This concept is rooted in the principle that individuals have a duty to act with a certain level of care to avoid causing injury to others. When someone acts carelessly or fails to meet the standard of care expected in a given situation, they may be deemed negligent if their actions directly lead to harm or injury.

This definition encompasses various scenarios, such as automobile accidents where a driver fails to pay attention to the road and causes an accident, or a property owner neglecting to fix a hazardous condition that results in someone getting injured. The key aspect of negligence is that the individual did not intend to cause harm, but their lack of care led to a harm being incurred, making them legally responsible for the consequences.

In contrast, the other choices refer to types of conduct that involve a higher degree of intent or malice, which are not applicable when discussing negligence.