willful misconduct
Definition
Willful misconduct means someone intentionally did something wrong or harmful, knowing full well it was wrong, rather than just making an honest mistake. Courts treat this much more seriously than ordinary negligence because the person chose to act badly on purpose.
Example
If an employee discovers a safety hazard and deliberately ignores it because fixing it would be inconvenient, that would likely count as willful misconduct, whereas accidentally overlooking the hazard would not.
Watch Out
Many business contracts and insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for willful misconduct, which means you could be left personally on the hook for significant damages if a court finds your actions crossed that line.
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.