Standard Of Care Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Standard Of Care.

Standard of Care (noun): This refers to the degree of attentiveness, caution, or diligence that a reasonable person in the same circumstances would theoretically exercise to protect their interests or safety from probable risks. It acts as a guideline on how a person should act in certain situations. Not adhering to this standard may result in legal consequences, particularly in negligence cases. For example, if someone sees their mother injured due to an accident, the expected standard of care would be to promptly take her to the hospital rather than delaying assistance by first reporting the incident elsewhere.