gross negligence
Definition
Gross negligence means someone acted so carelessly or recklessly that it goes far beyond a simple honest mistake. It is the kind of behavior where a reasonable person would look at the situation and say 'how could anyone think that was okay?' Courts treat it much more seriously than ordinary negligence because it shows a blatant disregard for other people's safety or rights.
Example
If you own a restaurant and ignore repeated health inspector warnings about a broken refrigerator, then customers get food poisoning, a court might find you grossly negligent because you knew about the danger and did nothing.
Watch Out
Many contracts include clauses that protect businesses from liability for ordinary mistakes, but courts will almost never let those clauses shield you from gross negligence claims.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.