What are the four essential elements of negligence?

The four essential elements of negligence are duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Duty refers to the legal obligation that a person or organization has to ensure the safety and well-being of others. In a negligence case, it must be established that the accused had a duty of care towards the complainant, meaning they were responsible for reasonably preventing harm.

Breach of duty occurs when the individual or organization fails to meet the standard of care that is required under the circumstances. This means they did not act as a reasonably prudent person would in the same situation, which can lead to an assessment of whether their actions were negligent.

Causation links the breach of duty directly to the harm experienced by the plaintiff. It must be demonstrated that the breach was the actual cause of the injuries or damages sustained. This often involves proving both actual cause (the breach resulted in harm) and proximate cause (the harm was a foreseeable result of the breach).

Damages refer to the actual injuries or losses that resulted from the breach of duty. These can include physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses that can be measured and compensated.

Understanding these elements is crucial for assessing negligence in various situations, including those that may arise in emergency telecommunication contexts where