What does "negligence" refer to in legal terms?

In legal terminology, "negligence" most accurately refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, which can be a failure to follow industry standards. This often implies a legal duty owed by one person to another to act with reasonable care. When an individual has a legal duty to ensure safety and fails to do so, thus causing harm to another party, that constitutes negligence.

Negligence can manifest in various forms, such as failing to maintain a safe environment or not adhering to established procedures in a profession like land surveying, where adherence to standards is critical for preventing accidents and errors. The concept does not incorporate aspects of intention to cause harm; rather, it is grounded in a lack of proper care and foresight. The primary focus is on the actions (or inactions) that lead to harm, rather than any contractual obligations, which distinguishes negligence from breaches of contract or intentional wrongful acts.