Which term describes an unintentional injury or harm to a person?

The term that describes an unintentional injury or harm to a person is termed "simple negligence." This concept refers to a situation where an individual fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have in similar circumstances, leading to accidental harm. In legal terms, simple negligence does not involve intent to cause harm; rather, it arises from carelessness or a failure to act as expected.

For instance, if someone were to accidentally cause harm to another person by not paying attention while driving, that incident would likely fall under simple negligence. This type of negligence does not require an extreme level of carelessness; it is about a general failure to adhere to reasonable standards of care.

In contrast, gross negligence is a more severe form of negligence that involves a blatant disregard for the safety and reasonable care expected from an individual, usually with more serious consequences. Duty refers to the obligation to adhere to a standard of care, while breach of duty indicates that this obligation has not been fulfilled. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why "simple negligence" is recognized specifically for unintentional injuries.