Negligence

Generally, In order to sustain a cause of action for negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed him a duty of care, that the defendant breached that duty of care by his negligent commission of an action (or by his negligent omission of action), and that the defendant's breach of that duty of care was the proximate cause of tangible harm to the plaintiff (Dobbs, 2001).

In addition, and depending on the particular statutes in the state where the events occurred, the plaintiff may also have to establish that his own negligence was less than that of the defendant in order to recover at all. In other states, the negligence of the plaintiff will not necessarily preclude his recovery, but any award may be reduced by whatever percentage he is deemed responsible for his damages by virtue of his own contributory negligence.

Classes of Harm and Persons:...
[ View Full Essay]