Which term describes the failure to meet the expected standard of care in negligence?

• A. Duty
• B. Injury
• C. Breach
• D. Causation

Answer: (C)

In negligence, the situation hinges on four elements: the duty to care, a breach of that duty, a causal link to harm, and resulting damages. The term that describes the failure to meet the expected standard of care is breach. It means there was a deviation from what a reasonable professional would do in the circumstances—for example, not following established protocols, using incorrect technique, or delays that fall short of standard practice. This breach is what separates the owed duty from the actual harm that can be attributed to that failure through causation. The other terms map to different parts: duty is the obligation to provide care, injury (or damages) is the harm that occurs, and causation is the connection showing the breach caused that harm.