Which statement correctly lists the four elements of negligence?

Which statement correctly lists the four elements of negligence?

• A. Duty to act with care; Breach of that duty; Causation; Damages
• B. Duty to act with care; Breach of that duty; Proof of damages; Nominal damages
• C. Duty to act with care; Failure to perform that duty; Proof that the failure caused damages; Actual damages resulted
• D. Duty to act with care; Failure to perform that duty; Causation; Compensatory damages

Answer: (C)

The four elements you must prove in a negligence claim are: you owed a duty of care, you breached that duty, the breach caused harm, and you suffered damages. This option lays them out as duty to act with care; the breach being the failure to perform that duty; proof that the failure caused damages (showing causation); and actual damages that resulted. The emphasis on proving actual damages ensures there was concrete harm tied to the breach, not just a theoretical or nominal injury. In practice, you need to demonstrate a real, compensable injury caused by the breach, which is the heart of negligence liability.

The four elements you must prove in a negligence claim are: you owed a duty of care, you breached that duty, the breach caused harm, and you suffered damages. This option lays them out as duty to act with care; the breach being the failure to perform that duty; proof that the failure caused damages (showing causation); and actual damages that resulted. The emphasis on proving actual damages ensures there was concrete harm tied to the breach, not just a theoretical or nominal injury. In practice, you need to demonstrate a real, compensable injury caused by the breach, which is the heart of negligence liability.