Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Law) A degree of negligence that is more than simple carelessness; it involves a reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, or a failure to act where there is a duty to do so, with consequences that could lead to injury or death. This term is used in legal contexts to describe conduct that is so far below a reasonable standard of care that it becomes blameworthy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The driver was charged with culpable negligence after the fatal accident, as he was texting while driving.
  • The hospital was found liable for the patient's death due to the surgeon's culpable negligence during the procedure.
  • The landlord's culpable negligence in failing to repair the broken staircase led to a tenant's serious injury.

Advanced Usage

• "Gross negligence": Often used interchangeably with "culpable negligence" in legal contexts to describe an extreme departure from the standard of care.

  • The court ruled that the company's failure to maintain its equipment constituted gross negligence.

• "Criminal negligence": A related legal term that can lead to criminal charges, often overlapping with culpable negligence.

  • He was convicted of criminal negligence for leaving a loaded firearm within a child's reach.

Variants and Related Words

• Negligence (n): The general failure to exercise proper care.

  • Simple negligence is not always punishable by law, unlike culpable negligence.

• Culpable (adj): Deserving blame; at fault.

  • The investigation concluded that the manager was culpable for the safety violations.

• Negligent (adj): Failing to take proper care.

  • The negligent guard failed to secure the premises.

Synonyms

• Gross negligence: Extreme carelessness.
• Recklessness: Acting without caution for the consequences.
• Dereliction of duty: Willful neglect of a responsibility.

Related Phrases

• "Actionable negligence": Negligence that provides grounds for a lawsuit.

  • The plaintiff's lawyer argued that the defendant's conduct amounted to actionable negligence.

• "Willful and wanton negligence": A legal phrase describing intentional disregard for safety.

  • The jury found the defendant guilty of willful and wanton negligence.

Related Idioms

• "Turn a blind eye": To ignore something wrong or dangerous deliberately.
  • By turning a blind eye to the safety hazards, the supervisor demonstrated culpable negligence.

Noun

1. (law) recklessly acting without reasonable caution and putting another person at risk of injury or death (or failing to do something with the same consequences)