What characterizes gross negligence?

Gross negligence is characterized by a conscious disregard for reasonable care, which signifies a significant departure from the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar situation. This form of negligence involves a blatant failure to act in a way that safeguards others from foreseeable risks and can often be seen as willful misconduct.

In contrast, a simple mistake that leads to harm does not necessarily imply a lack of care or intention; it may simply be an error that does not rise to the level of gross negligence. Unintentional harm to property is typically indicative of ordinary negligence rather than gross negligence, as it generally involves a failure to exercise the expected level of care but does not reflect the same conscious disregard for safety. Lastly, a lack of expertise in handling situations refers to the knowledge or skill of an individual rather than the deliberate choice to ignore reasonable care protocols, which is a key component of gross negligence.