Dictionary of Law
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duty of care :: legal definition


Duty of care - n. a requirement that a person act toward others and the public with the watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would use. If a person's actions do not meet this standard of care, then the acts are considered negligent, and any damages resulting may be claimed in a lawsuit for negligence.

See also: negligence standard of care and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment
apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
fiduciary :: 1) n. from the Latin fiducia, meaning "trust," a p ... lation fiduciary relationship trust
Good Samaritan rule :: n. from a Biblical story, if a volunteer comes to ... a lawsuit for millions of dollars.
gross negligence :: n. carelessness which is in reckless disregard for ... damages negligence punitive damages
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
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
nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor
obscene :: adj., adv. a highly subjective reference to materi ... en I see it." See also: pornography
omission :: n. 1) failure to perform an act agreed to, where t ... of contract negligence reformation
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
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
subrogation :: n. assuming the legal rights of a person for whom ... also: negligence subrogee subrogor
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.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
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."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
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 - D

D.A. :: n. slang for District Attorney. ... n. slang for District Attorney.
d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state.
D.U.I. :: n. short for driving under the influence of alcoho ... ing under the influence of alcohol.
D.W.I. :: n. 1) short for driving while intoxicated. 2) abbr ... for dying without issue (children).
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
dangerous :: adj. unsafe, hazardous, fraught with risk. It can ... eapon's range. See also: negligence
dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment.
date rape :: n. forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquainta ... physical resistance. See also: rape
day in court :: n. popular term for everyone's opportunity to brin ... rt to protest his speeding ticket."
de facto :: adj. Latin for "in fact." Often used in place of " ... ave not been met. See also: de jure
de facto corporation :: n. a company which operates as if it were a corpor ... also: de facto de jure ultra vires
de jure :: adj. Latin for "lawful," as distinguished from de ... also: de facto de jure corporation
de jure corporation :: n. a corporation in good standing under the law, a ... also: de facto corporation de jure
de minimis :: adj. (dee-minnie-miss) Latin for "of minimum impor ... deal, a $10 mistake is de minimis.
de novo :: adj. Latin for "anew," which means starting over, ... n, de novo. See also: trial de novo
deadly weapon :: n. any weapon which can kill. This includes not on ... See also: assault dangerous weapon
dealer :: n. anyone who buys goods or property for the purpo ... ins taxes by buying other property.
death penalty :: n. the sentence of execution for murder and some o ... rder and some other capital crimes.
death row :: n. nickname for that portion of a prison in which ... o: capital punishment death penalty
debenture :: n. a form of bond certificate issued by a corporat ... n shares of stock or general bonds.