What does the term 'gross negligence' refer to in civil definitions?

The term 'gross negligence' refers to a significant degree of negligence that goes beyond ordinary forms of carelessness. It is characterized by a reckless disregard for the safety and reasonable care that one should take toward others. This is particularly evident in actions or behaviors that indicate an obvious lack of care for the consequences that might affect others.

In this context, recklessness and total disregard for consequences is the key aspect that defines gross negligence. It implies that the individual acted without any thought to the dangers their actions posed, which can lead to more serious outcomes compared to mere negligence, where a person fails to act as a reasonably prudent person would.

This type of negligence often arises in situations where the behavior is so egregiously careless or reckless that it shows a clear indifference to the safety of others, differentiating it from the more typical negligence that may involve oversight or minor lapses in judgment. Therefore, this understanding of gross negligence underscores the emphasis on both the severity of the actions and the individual's mindset towards the safety of others.