Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What does the negligence theory of liability involve?

1. Conduct or behavior of a person or corporate body

2. Intentional harm caused by negligence

3. Strict protocols followed by corporate bodies

4. Legal agreements on corporate responsibilities

The correct answer is: Conduct or behavior of a person or corporate body

The negligence theory of liability primarily revolves around the conduct or behavior of a person or corporate entity that fails to meet a standard of care, leading to harm or injury to another party. In this context, negligence is established when it can be demonstrated that a duty of care was owed, that the duty was breached through unreasonable conduct, and that this breach directly resulted in damage or injury. This concept is fundamental in tort law, where the focus is on whether the actions taken were reasonable under the circumstances. For instance, if an employee conducts themselves in a way that disregards workplace safety protocols and subsequently causes an accident, the employer may be held liable due to the negligent behavior of their employee. The other options focus on different legal and corporate aspects that do not align directly with the definition and principles of negligence. Intentional harm, strict protocols, and legal agreements do not encapsulate the essence of negligence theory, which is fundamentally about the failure to act with reasonable care rather than intent or compliance with regulations.