Which is true about a breach of duty in negligence cases?

In negligence cases, a breach of duty occurs when a party fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in a similar situation. For a plaintiff to succeed in a negligence claim, it is essential to demonstrate that the breach of duty resulted in actual harm or injury. This means that there must be a tangible negative impact on the plaintiff, such as physical harm, property damage, or emotional distress, stemming from the defendant's negligent behavior.

Simply showing that harm occurred is not sufficient to establish negligence; there must be a clear connection between the breach of duty and the actual harm experienced by the plaintiff. Furthermore, proving intent is not a requirement in negligence cases, as negligence is primarily concerned with the lack of reasonable care rather than the intent to cause harm. Therefore, the requirement of actual harm is a foundational element in establishing a case of negligence. Without it, a negligence claim would typically not be viable, as the essential components of duty, breach, cause, and harm must all be present.