negligence

negligence (neg´lijns),

n the failure to observe, for the protection of another person, the degree of care and vigilance that the circumstances demand, whereby such other person suffers injury.

negligence, contributory,

n negligence by an injured party that combines as a proximate cause with the negligence of the injurer in producing the injury. May bar recovery or mitigate damages.

negligence, imputed,

n the principle that places the responsibility for negligence on a person other than the one that was directly negligent. This transfer of responsibility is based on some special relationship of the parties, such as parent and child or principal and agent (e.g., a dental professional may be responsible for the negligence of a dental assistant).

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negligence

in law, the failure to do something that a reasonable person of ordinary prudence would do in a certain situation or the doing of something that such a person would not do. Negligence may provide the basis for a lawsuit when there is a legal duty, as the duty of a veterinarian, to provide reasonable care to patients and when the negligence results in damage to the patient.

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contributory negligence

a defense against a negligence suit, in which evidence is presented that the client contributed to the unsatisfactory outcome of a case by being negligent himself/herself, e.g. by not returning the animal for further treatment soon enough.