reasonable care
Definition
Reasonable care is the level of caution and attention that a sensible, ordinary person would use in a given situation to avoid harming others. Courts use this standard to judge whether someone acted responsibly, not whether they were perfect. If your actions match what a typical careful person would do in the same circumstances, you have likely met this standard.
Example
If a customer slips on a wet floor in your shop, a court will ask whether you took reasonable steps to prevent the accident, such as putting up a warning sign or mopping it up promptly. Doing nothing would likely fall short of reasonable care.
Watch Out
What counts as reasonable care can vary depending on your industry, so the standard for a restaurant owner handling food safety is much higher than for someone hosting a casual backyard sale.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.