Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Advanced Officer Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the four elements of negligence?

1. Legal duty

2. Breech of duty

3. Intentional harm

4. Damages or injury

The correct answer is: Intentional harm

The concept of negligence in a legal context involves four key elements that must be established for a claim of negligence to be valid: legal duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages or injury. In this context, "intentional harm" does not fall within the framework of negligence. Instead, intentional harm refers to actions where an individual deliberately inflicts harm upon another, which is more closely aligned with the category of torts known as intentional torts. Negligence, on the other hand, pertains to situations where harm is caused by a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in an unintentional injury to another party. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it clarifies that negligence does not require the element of intent but rather focuses on the lack of reasonable care that leads to damages. Therefore, the identification of "intentional harm" as not being one of the four elements of negligence is accurate and highlights the difference between negligent and intentional acts.