What are the key components that establish a negligent act?

The correct answer emphasizes the essential legal elements that establish negligence, which are Duty, Breach, Damages, and Proximate Cause.

Duty refers to the legal obligation that one party owes to another to act with a certain standard of care. This obligation can arise from various sources, such as statutes, contracts, or common law.

Breach occurs when a party fails to meet the duty of care owed. This could be through action or inaction that falls short of the established standard.

Damages are the actual losses that arise as a result of the breach. For a negligence claim to be valid, the injured party must show that they suffered compensable harm, be it physical, emotional, or financial.

Proximate Cause links the breach of duty to the damages incurred. It establishes that the damages were a foreseeable result of the breach, thereby showing a direct connection between the negligent act and the injury claimed.

In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate these critical components of negligence. Some mention irrelevant terms, while others misrepresent the foundational aspects necessary to prove a negligence claim. Understanding these elements is crucial for anyone working as an adjuster, as they form the basis for assessing liability and damage claims in various scenarios.