Which account best describes the term "negligence" within liability?

The term "negligence" in the context of liability specifically refers to the failure to exercise a level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. This lack of care can lead to damage or injury to another party. In a legal setting, establishing negligence usually requires showing that the responsible party had a duty to act in a certain way, that they breached that duty, and that this breach directly resulted in harm to another individual or entity. Thus, "failure to use a reasonable degree of care that results in damage" accurately captures the essence of negligence as it hinges on an unintentional act, where the responsible party did not intend to cause harm but failed to act with the necessary caution expected in that situation. This foundation is critical in liability cases, as it distinguishes between intentional wrongdoing and negligent conduct.