Dictionary of Law
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gross negligence :: legal definition


Gross negligence - n. carelessness which is in reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, and is so great it appears to be a conscious violation of other people's rights to safety. It is more than simple inadvertence, but it is just shy of being intentionally evil. If one has borrowed or contracted to take care of another's property, then gross negligence is the failure to actively take the care one would of his/her own property. If gross negligence is found by the trier of fact (judge or jury), it can result in the award of punitive damages on top of general and special damages.

See also: damages exemplary damages negligence punitive damages and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
compensatory damages :: n. damages recovered in payment for actual injury ... es punitive damages special damages
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
duty of care :: n. a requirement that a person act toward others a ... e also: negligence standard of care
exemplary damages :: n. often called punitive damages, these are damage ... See also: damages punitive damages
injury :: n. any harm done to a person by the acts or omissi ... nction injunctive relief negligence
intervening cause :: n. an event which occurs between the original impr ... cause negligence superseding cause
joint tortfeasors :: n. two or more persons whose negligence in a singl ... : comparative negligence negligence
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
reasonable care :: n. the degree of caution and concern for the safet ... . See also: duty of care negligence
rescue doctrine :: n. the rule of law that if a rescuer of a person h ... to the car grill. See also: damages
standard of care :: n. the watchfulness, attention, caution and pruden ... of care foreseeable risk negligence
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
suffering :: n. the pain, hurt, inconvenience, embarrassment an ... njury negligence pain and suffering
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
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testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
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sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - G

gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment
garnishee :: n. a person or entity, quite often a bank or emplo ... ourt. See also: garnish garnishment
garnishment :: n. the entire process of petitioning for and getti ... heriff. See also: garnish garnishee
gender bias :: n. unequal treatment in employment opportunity (su ... statutes. See also: discrimination
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
general counsel :: n. the chief attorney for a corporation, who is pa ... e counsel." See also: house counsel
general damages :: n. monetary recovery (money won) in a lawsuit for ... s exemplary damages special damages
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership
general plan :: n. a plan of a city, county or area which establis ... uture development. See also: zoning
generation skipping :: adj., adv. referring to gifts made through trusts ... to a grandchild without a gift tax.
gift :: n. the voluntary transfer of property (including m ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
gift in contemplation of death :: n. (called a gift causa mortis by lawyers showing ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
gift tax :: n. federal tax on large gifts. Gifts to members of ... ance in gift tax planning is vital.
go bail :: v. slang for putting up the bail money to get an a ... arrest or pending trial or appeal.
good cause :: n. a legally sufficient reason for a ruling or oth ... od cause shown, the court orders:."
good faith :: n. honest intent to act without taking an unfair a ... plied to all kinds of transactions.
Good Samaritan rule :: n. from a Biblical story, if a volunteer comes to ... a lawsuit for millions of dollars.
good title :: n. ownership of real property which is totally fre ... or deed of trust on the property).