What are the two main types of negligence?

The two main types of negligence are categorized as simple and gross negligence. Simple negligence refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances, leading to unintentional harm or injury to another party. This type of negligence involves a lack of ordinary care in behavior that is generally considered negligent.

Gross negligence, on the other hand, is a more severe form of negligence where an individual demonstrates a complete disregard for the safety of others or a failure to act in a way that is far beyond mere carelessness. It indicates a higher degree of negligence, often seen as a willful neglect or a significant deviation from what would be expected from a responsible person.

The distinction is important in understanding legal outcomes in negligence cases, as gross negligence can lead to more severe legal consequences compared to simple negligence. Other categories, such as intentional and unintentional, pertain more to the nature of the act rather than to negligence itself, while minor and major focus on the severity, which isn't a primary classification of negligence types.