What is the definition of negligence?

Negligence is best defined as the omission of reasonable care. This legal concept refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in similar circumstances. In the context of healthcare and radiologic technology, negligence can occur if a healthcare provider does not fulfill their duty to ensure patient safety and well-being, leading to harm or injury.

Negligence does not involve intentional harm, which distinguishes it from actions that are done with intent to harm another person. It also does not pertain to the use of force or contact, as that relates to physical assault rather than a failure to act responsibly. Additionally, while privacy rights are important within healthcare, and violations of privacy can have legal implications, this concept is separate from negligence, which focuses specifically on the failure to provide adequate care. Therefore, the omission of reasonable care is the accurate definition of negligence in this context.