{"id":33948,"date":"2026-10-10T05:47:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T05:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=33948"},"modified":"2026-10-10T05:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T05:55:45","slug":"fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Fundamentals of Negligence in Tort Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 id=\"h-negligence-meaning-essential-elements-defences-and-leading-cases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_Meaning_Essential_Elements_Defences_and_Leading_Cases\"><\/span>Negligence: Meaning, Essential Elements, Defences, and Leading Cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-meaning-of-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meaning_of_Negligence\"><\/span>Meaning of Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Negligence is the failure to take the care that a prudent and reasonable person would take under similar circumstances. It constitutes a breach of a legal duty to exercise care, directly resulting in actionable damage to another person.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_Meaning_Essential_Elements_Defences_and_Leading_Cases\" >Negligence: Meaning, Essential Elements, Defences, and Leading Cases<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Meaning_of_Negligence\" >Meaning of Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Essential_Elements\" >Essential Elements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Standard_of_Reasonable_Care\" >Standard of Reasonable Care<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Objective_Standard\" >Objective Standard<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Professional_Negligence\" >Professional Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_by_Omission\" >Negligence by Omission<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Contributory_Negligence\" >Contributory Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Composite_Negligence\" >Composite Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Res_Ipsa_Loquitur_%E2%80%9CThe_Thing_Speaks_for_Itself%E2%80%9D\" >Res Ipsa Loquitur (\u201cThe Thing Speaks for Itself\u201d)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_Per_Se\" >Negligence Per Se<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Duty_to_Children\" >Duty to Children<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Duty_Towards_Trespassers\" >Duty Towards Trespassers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Occupiers_Liability\" >Occupier\u2019s Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_in_Road_Accidents\" >Negligence in Road Accidents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Causation_and_the_%E2%80%9CBut-For%E2%80%9D_Test\" >Causation and the \u201cBut-For\u201d Test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Remoteness_of_Damage\" >Remoteness of Damage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Eggshell_Skull_Rule\" >Eggshell Skull Rule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Defences\" >Defences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_vs_Strict_Liability\" >Negligence vs. Strict Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Absolute_Liability_in_India\" >Absolute Liability in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Civil_vs_Criminal_Negligence\" >Civil vs. Criminal Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Vicarious_Liability\" >Vicarious Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_of_Public_Authorities\" >Negligence of Public Authorities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Product_Liability\" >Product Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Pure_Economic_Loss\" >Pure Economic Loss<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Nervous_Shock_Psychiatric_Injury\" >Nervous Shock \/ Psychiatric Injury<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Damages\" >Damages<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Burden_of_Proof\" >Burden of Proof<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Leading_Cases\" >Leading Cases<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Donoghue_v_Stevenson_1932_%E2%80%94_Duty_of_Care_The_Neighbour_Principle\" >Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) \u2014 Duty of Care &amp; The Neighbour Principle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Blyth_v_Birmingham_Waterworks_Co_1856_%E2%80%94_Definition_of_Negligence\" >Blyth v. Birmingham Waterworks Co. (1856) \u2014 Definition of Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Bolam_v_Friern_Hospital_Management_Committee_1957_%E2%80%94_Professional_Negligence_The_Bolam_Test\" >Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957) \u2014 Professional Negligence (The Bolam Test)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#The_Wagon_Mound_No_1_1961_%E2%80%94_Remoteness_Foreseeability\" >The Wagon Mound (No. 1) (1961) \u2014 Remoteness &amp; Foreseeability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Rylands_v_Fletcher_1868_%E2%80%94_Strict_Liability\" >Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) \u2014 Strict Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#C_Mehta_v_Union_of_India_1987_%E2%80%94_Absolute_Liability\" >C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) \u2014 Absolute Liability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Jacob_Mathew_v_State_of_Punjab_2005_%E2%80%94_Medical_Criminal_Negligence\" >Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005) \u2014 Medical &amp; Criminal Negligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Kusum_Sharma_v_Batra_Hospital_2010_%E2%80%94_Medical_Negligence_Principles\" >Kusum Sharma v. Batra Hospital (2010) \u2014 Medical Negligence Principles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Negligence_vs_Other_Torts\" >Negligence vs. Other Torts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> Driving at excessive speed through a crowded market and striking a pedestrian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-essential-elements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Essential_Elements\"><\/span>Essential Elements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To establish civil liability for negligence, the plaintiff must generally prove four essential elements in sequence\u2014Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damage (D\u2013B\u2013C\u2013D):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>(A) Duty of Care (D):<\/strong> The defendant must owe the plaintiff a legal duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid foreseeable harm, as established in Donoghue v. Stevenson. <strong>Example:<\/strong> A doctor owes a duty of care to a patient; a motorist owes a duty to other road users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>(B) Breach of Duty (B):<\/strong> The defendant must have failed to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent person in the circumstances. <strong>Example:<\/strong> Driving with defective brakes or running a red light.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>(C) Causation (C):<\/strong> The breach must have caused the plaintiff\u2019s damage, both in fact and in law.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Factual causation:<\/strong> The \u201cbut-for\u201d test asks whether the harm would have occurred but for the defendant\u2019s breach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal causation:<\/strong> The damage must be sufficiently proximate and reasonably foreseeable, as illustrated by The Wagon Mound (No. 1).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>(D) Damage (D):<\/strong> The plaintiff must suffer actual, legally recognized harm, such as physical injury, property damage, pecuniary loss, or a recognized psychiatric illness. Negligence is not actionable per se.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-standard-of-reasonable-care\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Standard_of_Reasonable_Care\"><\/span>Standard of Reasonable Care<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The standard is objective\u2014that of an ordinarily prudent person. Courts evaluate the magnitude of risk, likelihood and seriousness of potential harm, utility of the act, and the burden of taking precautions. The law demands reasonable care, not absolute or error-free safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-objective-standard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Objective_Standard\"><\/span>Objective Standard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Negligence is judged objectively regardless of the individual defendant&#8217;s personal idiosyncrasies or lack of natural intelligence. However, the expected standard adjusts upward based on specialized skills, professions, or activities requiring technical competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-professional-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Professional_Negligence\"><\/span>Professional Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects) are held to the standard of a reasonably competent peer in their field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Medical Negligence:<\/strong> Governed by the Bolam test and Indian jurisprudence (Jacob Mathew, Kusum Sharma). A doctor is not negligent merely because a treatment fails, an error of judgment occurs, or a preferred alternative medical body of opinion exists, provided the adopted course aligned with accepted medical practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-by-omission\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_by_Omission\"><\/span>Negligence by Omission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While positive acts form the common basis of torts, a failure to act (omission) constitutes negligence when a pre-existing legal duty to act exists (e.g., an occupier&#8217;s failure to remedy a known hazard on their premises).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-contributory-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contributory_Negligence\"><\/span>Contributory Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occurs when the plaintiff\u2019s own failure to exercise reasonable care for their safety concurs with the defendant&#8217;s breach to cause the injury. Under modern tort principles, it acts as a partial defense that apportions blame and reduces recoverable damages proportionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-composite-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Composite_Negligence\"><\/span>Composite Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occurs when the joint or independent negligent acts of two or more wrongdoers combine to cause injury to a non-faulty third party. The injured party can enforce liability against any or all wrongdoers jointly and severally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-res-ipsa-loquitur-the-thing-speaks-for-itself\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Res_Ipsa_Loquitur_%E2%80%9CThe_Thing_Speaks_for_Itself%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Res Ipsa Loquitur (\u201cThe Thing Speaks for Itself\u201d)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A rule of evidence allowing courts to infer negligence from the circumstantial nature of an event when direct proof is absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Essential Conditions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exclusive Control:<\/strong> The instrumentality causing harm was under the defendant&#8217;s sole management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ordinary Course:<\/strong> The accident would not ordinarily occur without negligence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Explanation:<\/strong> No plausible non-negligent explanation is offered by the defense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Legal Effect:<\/strong> Shifts the evidential burden to the defendant to rebut the inference; it does not automatically impose strict or absolute liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-per-se\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_Per_Se\"><\/span>Negligence Per Se<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The breach of a statutory safety rule or statutory duty designed to prevent a specific type of injury may constitute conclusive evidence of negligence once the breach and resulting statutory harm are demonstrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-duty-to-children\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duty_to_Children\"><\/span>Duty to Children<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children are held to the standard of a reasonable child of similar age, intelligence, and capacity. Conversely, duty-holders must exercise heightened vigilance when dealing with children due to their inherent lack of discretion and susceptibility to allurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-duty-towards-trespassers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duty_Towards_Trespassers\"><\/span>Duty Towards Trespassers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While occupiers traditionally owe a minimal duty to trespassers, a basic duty of common humanity applies where the occupier knows or ought to know of the trespasser&#8217;s presence and creates or maintains dangerous hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-occupier-s-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Occupiers_Liability\"><\/span>Occupier\u2019s Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occupiers of premises (shops, hotels, offices, factory sites) owe a statutory and common law duty to ensure that lawful visitors (licensees and invitees) are reasonably safe when using the premises for authorized purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-in-road-accidents\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_in_Road_Accidents\"><\/span>Negligence in Road Accidents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Established through actions such as driving under the influence, exceeding prescribed speed limits, reckless overtaking, disobeying traffic signals, using unroadworthy vehicles, or failing to maintain a proper lookout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-causation-and-the-but-for-test\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causation_and_the_%E2%80%9CBut-For%E2%80%9D_Test\"><\/span>Causation and the \u201cBut-For\u201d Test<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Factual causation establishes whether the injury would have occurred but for the defendant&#8217;s negligent act. If the injury would have occurred regardless of the act, factual causation fails. Multiple concurrent causes require broader tests, such as material contribution to harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-remoteness-of-damage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Remoteness_of_Damage\"><\/span>Remoteness of Damage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liability does not extend to infinite consequences. Damage is legally recoverable only if it was a reasonably foreseeable type of harm arising from the breach (The Wagon Mound No. 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-eggshell-skull-rule\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eggshell_Skull_Rule\"><\/span>Eggshell Skull Rule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A doctrine of damages requiring the defendant to &#8220;take the victim as he finds him&#8221; (talem qualem). Once the initial type of physical injury is reasonably foreseeable, the defendant is liable for the full extent of the harm, including aggravated injuries stemming from the victim&#8217;s pre-existing frailty or medical vulnerability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> A minor impact that would ordinarily cause a slight bruise causes a fatal skull fracture because the victim possesses an unusually thin skull; the defendant remains fully liable for the fracture and resulting death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-defences\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Defences\"><\/span>Defences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Contributory Negligence:<\/strong> Partial defense reducing damages proportional to fault.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Volenti Non Fit Injuria (Voluntary Assumption of Risk):<\/strong> Complete defense where the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily consented to the risk of harm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inevitable Accident:<\/strong> An event that could not have been prevented by the exercise of ordinary care, caution, and skill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Act of God (Vis Major):<\/strong> Extraordinary, unforeseen operation of natural forces completely lacking human intervention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Statutory Authority:<\/strong> Statutory sanction for acts performed without negligence under legislative mandate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-vs-strict-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_vs_Strict_Liability\"><\/span>Negligence vs. Strict Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Negligence:<\/strong> Fault-based tort requiring affirmative proof of failure to exercise reasonable care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strict Liability:<\/strong> No-fault liability arising from the escape of dangerous substances during non-natural land use (Rylands v. Fletcher), subject to specific common law exceptions (e.g., Act of God, plaintiff&#8217;s fault).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-absolute-liability-in-india\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Absolute_Liability_in_India\"><\/span>Absolute Liability in India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formulated by the Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) (Oleum Gas Leak Case), this doctrine applies strictly to enterprises engaged in hazardous or inherently dangerous activities. It imposes an unconditional, non-delegable duty to ensure public safety. If damage occurs, the enterprise is automatically liable to compensate all victims without exception. Unlike English strict liability (Rylands v. Fletcher), absolute liability permits zero legal defenses and correlates the quantum of damages directly to the financial size and capacity of the enterprise (Deep Pocket Principle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-civil-vs-criminal-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Civil_vs_Criminal_Negligence\"><\/span>Civil vs. Criminal Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Civil Negligence:<\/strong> Focuses on compensating the victim for loss caused by a failure to exercise ordinary care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Criminal Negligence:<\/strong> Requires a significantly higher degree of culpable rashness or reckless disregard for human life and safety (in India, governed primarily under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for causing death by negligence).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-vicarious-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vicarious_Liability\"><\/span>Vicarious Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under vicarious liability, an employer is held strictly liable for the negligent acts or omissions of an employee committed within the course of employment. Rooted in the legal maxims respondeat superior (&#8220;let the master answer&#8221;) and qui facit per alium facit per se (&#8220;he who acts through another acts himself&#8221;), it requires proving a valid master-servant relationship and showing that the act was an authorized task or an unauthorized mode of carrying out an authorized task. If the employee embarks on an independent personal journey (&#8220;frolic and detour&#8221;), vicarious liability is extinguished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-of-public-authorities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_of_Public_Authorities\"><\/span>Negligence of Public Authorities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public authorities, statutory bodies, and state departments can be held liable in tort for operational negligence. While high-level policy discretion and sovereign functions historically enjoyed qualified statutory protections, state liability attaches readily to operational failures. In India, public law remedies under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution frequently award monetary compensation for state negligence violating fundamental rights to life and personal liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-product-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Product_Liability\"><\/span>Product Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers owe a duty of care to ultimate consumers for defects in design, manufacturing, or warnings (Donoghue v. Stevenson). In India, product liability mechanisms are codified under Chapter VI of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-pure-economic-loss\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pure_Economic_Loss\"><\/span>Pure Economic Loss<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial loss unlinked to physical personal injury or property damage is subject to strict judicial limits. Recovery requires proving a special relationship of proximity, reliance, and assumption of responsibility to prevent indeterminate liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-nervous-shock-psychiatric-injury\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nervous_Shock_Psychiatric_Injury\"><\/span>Nervous Shock \/ Psychiatric Injury<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Claims for pure psychiatric harm require proof of a recognized medical condition (e.g., PTSD, clinical depression). Ordinary emotional grief, sorrow, or stress without a diagnosed illness remains non-compensable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-damages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Damages\"><\/span>Damages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Torts damages operate on the compensatory principle (restitutio in integrum), aiming to place the injured party in the position they would have occupied had the tort not occurred. Heads of claim include special damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and general damages (future loss of earnings, pain and suffering, loss of amenities).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-burden-of-proof\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Burden_of_Proof\"><\/span>Burden of Proof<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legal burden rests on the plaintiff to establish duty, breach, causation, and damage on the balance of probabilities. Evidentiary rules like res ipsa loquitur or statutory presumptions may assist in shifting the evidential burden to the defendant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-leading-cases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Leading_Cases\"><\/span>Leading Cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-donoghue-v-stevenson-1932-duty-of-care-amp-the-neighbour-principle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Donoghue_v_Stevenson_1932_%E2%80%94_Duty_of_Care_The_Neighbour_Principle\"><\/span>Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) \u2014 Duty of Care &amp; The Neighbour Principle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Established that a general duty of care is owed to anyone directly and foreseeably affected by one&#8217;s acts or omissions (ginger beer manufacturer liable for decomposing snail in opaque bottle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-blyth-v-birmingham-waterworks-co-1856-definition-of-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Blyth_v_Birmingham_Waterworks_Co_1856_%E2%80%94_Definition_of_Negligence\"><\/span>Blyth v. Birmingham Waterworks Co. (1856) \u2014 Definition of Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Defined negligence as doing what a reasonable person would not do, or failing to do what a reasonable person would do under the circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-bolam-v-friern-hospital-management-committee-1957-professional-negligence-the-bolam-test\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bolam_v_Friern_Hospital_Management_Committee_1957_%E2%80%94_Professional_Negligence_The_Bolam_Test\"><\/span>Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957) \u2014 Professional Negligence (The Bolam Test)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruled that a professional is not negligent if acting in accordance with a practice accepted as proper by a responsible body of professional peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-wagon-mound-no-1-1961-remoteness-amp-foreseeability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Wagon_Mound_No_1_1961_%E2%80%94_Remoteness_Foreseeability\"><\/span>The Wagon Mound (No. 1) (1961) \u2014 Remoteness &amp; Foreseeability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Replaced direct consequences with reasonable foreseeability as the governing test for remoteness of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-rylands-v-fletcher-1868-strict-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rylands_v_Fletcher_1868_%E2%80%94_Strict_Liability\"><\/span>Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) \u2014 Strict Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Established no-fault strict liability for the escape of dangerous things brought onto land during non-natural use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-c-mehta-v-union-of-india-1987-absolute-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"C_Mehta_v_Union_of_India_1987_%E2%80%94_Absolute_Liability\"><\/span>C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) \u2014 Absolute Liability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Created an absolute, exception-free liability framework in India for hazardous and inherently dangerous industries following the Oleum gas leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-jacob-mathew-v-state-of-punjab-2005-medical-amp-criminal-negligence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jacob_Mathew_v_State_of_Punjab_2005_%E2%80%94_Medical_Criminal_Negligence\"><\/span>Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005) \u2014 Medical &amp; Criminal Negligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Held that criminal prosecution of doctors requires proof of gross negligence or reckless indifference, distinct from civil standard errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-kusum-sharma-v-batra-hospital-2010-medical-negligence-principles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kusum_Sharma_v_Batra_Hospital_2010_%E2%80%94_Medical_Negligence_Principles\"><\/span>Kusum Sharma v. Batra Hospital (2010) \u2014 Medical Negligence Principles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Framed comprehensive guidelines shielding doctors from frivolous litigation where standard medical care and skill were exercised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-negligence-vs-other-torts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negligence_vs_Other_Torts\"><\/span>Negligence vs. Other Torts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Basis<\/th><th>Negligence<\/th><th>Trespass<\/th><th>Nuisance<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><th>Main Idea<\/th><td>Failure to exercise reasonable care<\/td><td>Direct physical interference with person\/property<\/td><td>Unreasonable interference with enjoyment of land\/rights<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Intention<\/th><td>Unintentional careless breach<\/td><td>Generally intentional or direct physical act<\/td><td>Focuses on unreasonable result rather than state of mind<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Actionable Harm<\/th><td>Damage is mandatory (not actionable per se)<\/td><td>Actionable per se without proof of actual damage<\/td><td>Proof of legal damage or unreasonable harm required<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Example<\/th><td>Speeding vehicle causing collision<\/td><td>Entering private land without consent or authority<\/td><td>Continuous excessive noise or toxic smoke fumes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Negligence centres on the legal duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm. Liability arises when duty, breach, causation, and non-remote damage are concurrently established, subject to recognized defenses and statutory frameworks. Related doctrines\u2014such as professional standards, res ipsa loquitur, vicarious liability, strict liability, and absolute liability\u2014refine the equilibrium between individual freedom of action and the societal obligation to prevent harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-approach-medical-negligence-causation-root-cause-analysis-india\/\">Assigning Cause of Death in Health Care: From Association to Causation: Post-Caesarean Deaths<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/defences-in-the-law-of-torts-a-complete-and-simple-guide\/\">Defenses in the Law of Torts: A Complete and Simple Guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/general-elements-in-torts-physical-and-mental-elements\/\">General Elements in Torts: Physical and Mental Elements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/origin-and-evolution-of-the-law-of-torts-in-india-from-english-common-law-to-constitutional-and-social-justice-jurisprudence\/\">Origin and Evolution of the Law of Torts in India: From English Common Law to Constitutional and Social Justice Jurisprudence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/understanding-negligence-a-comprehensive-legal-guide\/\">Understanding Negligence: A Comprehensive Legal Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Negligence: Meaning, Essential Elements, Defences, and Leading Cases Meaning of Negligence Negligence is the failure to take the care that a prudent and reasonable person would take under similar circumstances. It constitutes a breach of a legal duty to exercise care, directly resulting in actionable damage to another person. Example: Driving at excessive speed through<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[3552],"class_list":["post-33948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-torts-law","tag-torts-law"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.6 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Fundamentals of Negligence in Tort Law - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand negligence in law, its essential elements, types, legal defences, liability, damages, and landmark judgments in India and English law.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fundamentals of Negligence in Tort Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understand negligence in law, its essential elements, types, legal defences, liability, damages, and landmark judgments in India and English law.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Legal Service India - Articles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-10T05:47:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-10T05:55:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Md. Imran Wahab\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Md. Imran Wahab\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/fundamentals-of-negligence-in-tort-law\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Md. 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