The Difference Between Ordinary Negligence and Gross Negligence
Understanding the difference between ordinary negligence and gross negligence is incredibly important if you have been injured as a result of negligence. At the Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, our personal injury lawyers in New Jersey can help you understand the differences, and navigate the legal proceedings related to each of them.
Negligence
Negligence is a legal term that refers to an act of carelessness or an omission to do something that a responsible person would do. When someone does not take the care that is necessary for safety and causes injury, they are negligent.
Gross Negligence
Gross negligence occurs when recklessness or intentional indifference affects the safety of another person. In legal settings, gross negligence is defined by three elements:
- The act must be committed with an extreme level of carelessness
- There must be a high probability that harm will result from the act
- The act must cause actual damage or injury
If you have been injured and you believe gross negligence was involved, contact our team of personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.
Key Differences
While the two may sound similar, gross negligence is a more serious offense than ordinary negligence. A common example that our auto accident lawyers use is that if a driver runs a stop sign and causes a crash that injures another person, they may be found negligent. They were careless but did not intend to cause harm. However, if a driver were to run stop signs in an area they know has many pedestrians walking about, and they crash and cause an injury, this can be considered gross negligence. This is because they had an intentional indifference to the pedestrians they were aware of.
Personal Injury Lawyer, New Jersey
If you are suffering from an injury that you believe is the result of negligence or gross negligence, contact the Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman to speak with our personal injury lawyers. We will help you understand whether the injury was the result of negligence, and assist you through the legal process as we fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman is here to support you. Our decades of experience and a proven record of success will help us handle your case and work hard for the outcome you want. Contact us today!
