DEGREE OF NEGLIGENCE

degree  of  negligence.One  of  the  varying  levels  of  negligence  typically  designated  as  slight

negligence,  ordinary  negligence, and  gross  negligence.  See  NEGLIGENCE. [Cases:  Negligence

272–276. C.J.S. Negligence §§ 88–113.]

“Although  the  common  law  concept  of  degrees  of  negligence  has  been  criticized  or

repudiated  in  many  jurisdictions,  the  usefulness  of  the  view  at  common  law  that  degrees  of

negligence  exist  is  still  recognized  in  a  number  of  jurisdictions,  particularly  in  regard  to  the

distinction  between  ordinary  and  gross  negligence.  Furthermore,  legislators  have  not  been

dissuaded from using the degrees of negligence concept when it is helpful to achieve a legislative

purpose.” 57A Am. Jur. 2d Negligence § 233, at 274 (1989). [Blacks Law 8th]