Which term describes the civil liability concept for failing to exercise reasonable care?

• A. Civil Negligence
• B. Criminal Negligence
• C. Negligence
• D. Vicarious Liability

Answer: (B)

Failing to exercise reasonable care in a situation where such care is owed is negligence. In civil law, negligence means a person breached the duty to act with the care a reasonably prudent person would use, and that breach caused harm for which the injured party may seek damages.

Criminal negligence is a separate concept used in criminal law; it involves a level of recklessness or disregard for safety that can lead to criminal penalties. Vicarious liability, on the other hand, involves one party being held responsible for the actions of another (for example, an employer for an employee), not the individual’s own failure to exercise care. So, for civil liability tied to failing to exercise reasonable care, the correct concept is negligence.