What does "duty of care" signify in tort law?

"Duty of care" in tort law signifies the legal obligation to act with reasonable care toward others. This concept is fundamental in establishing whether a defendant has acted negligently. The essence of this duty is to prevent foreseeable harm to others through one's actions or omissions. For example, a driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely to avoid causing accidents that could injure other road users.

This obligation implies that individuals must adhere to a standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. If a person fails to meet this standard and someone is harmed as a result, they may be found liable for negligence.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of duty of care. Compensating for damages relates more to liability than the duty to act carefully. Reporting harm pertains to legal obligations outside the scope of duty of care, such as in certain situations where individuals must inform authorities. Lastly, the requirement to avoid all risks is unrealistic and does not align with the principle of reasonable care; rather, the law recognizes that some risks are inherent and that an acceptable level of risk is permissible as long as one acts competently.