What is the legal term for the failure to provide adequate care or services that results in harm to another person?

The legal term for the failure to provide adequate care or services that results in harm to another person is known as a "Breach of duty." In legal contexts, this term refers specifically to a situation where an individual or entity fails to meet the standard of care that is expected in a particular situation. This breach can occur in various circumstances, such as in personal injury cases, medical malpractice, or negligence claims.

When someone has a duty to act with reasonable care towards others—whether it's a healthcare provider, a driver, or a business owner—they are expected to take specific actions to prevent harm. If they fall short of this duty and that shortcoming directly results in harm to another person, a breach of duty has occurred. This breach becomes a key element in establishing liability in legal cases, as it demonstrates that the responsible party did not fulfill their obligation to act reasonably, leading to adverse consequences.

The other options relate to different aspects of negligence or legal liability but do not capture the specific definition of failing to meet the standard of care resulting in harm. "Duty" refers to the legal obligation to act, "proximate cause" relates to the direct link between the breach of duty and the harm caused, and "gross negligence" denotes an extreme lack