Which set of elements describes negligence?

• A. Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages
• B. Duty, Risk, Causation, Damages
• C. Duty, Breach, Intent, Damages
• D. Duty, Breach, Notice, Damages

Answer: (A)

Negligence is defined by four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. A professional owes a duty to perform with the reasonable care, skill, and diligence expected of someone in the field. A breach happens when that standard of care isn’t met. Causation means the breach caused harm—often analyzed as actual cause (but-for the breach) and proximate cause. Damages are the actual harm suffered and recoverable.

The other options mix in concepts that aren’t required for negligence. Replacing breach with risk misses the essential failure to meet the standard of care. Replacing breach with intent points to an intentional tort, which uses a different liability theory. Replacing breach with notice introduces a condition (notice) that isn’t a universal element of negligence.