Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes gross negligence?

1. Lack of any intent to cause harm

2. Inattention to detail in legal documents

3. Reckless disregard of foreseeable risks

4. Minor carelessness resulting in damage

The correct answer is: Reckless disregard of foreseeable risks

Gross negligence is characterized by a reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, which encompasses a significant level of carelessness that goes beyond mere negligence. This description underscores a failure to exercise even the minimal standard of care that any reasonable person would observe, leading to a serious departure from that standard. In the context of the other options, while lack of intent to cause harm captures an aspect of negligence, it does not specifically denote the degree of disregard for potential risks that defines gross negligence. Inattention to detail in legal documents might reflect negligence, but it lacks the severe implications of gross negligence. Minor carelessness resulting in damage falls short of the higher threshold of gross negligence, as it does not convey the element of recklessness or serious risk to others. Thus, the emphasis on reckless disregard of foreseeable risks effectively captures the essence of what distinguishes gross negligence from ordinary negligence.