Simply put: gross negligence, in terms of a civil injury case, suggests that an at-fault party was not just negligent and careless, but also, transparently reckless. Negligence is ignoring a certain standard of care or breaching an appointed duty of care, and as a result, an innocent victim is injured or harmed in some way. Take note that negligence doesn’t imply malicious intent or evilness, but rather, careless.

This concept is generally well-recognized and understood by adults. But when a person’s carelessness is exaggerated to the point of recklessness, it is considered a separate type of negligence called gross negligence. Continue reading to learn more about the meaning of gross negligence and how it is applied to personal injury cases and claims.

Gross Negligence Claims

Recklessness can be colloquially-defined as unreasonable and/or deliberate misconduct of a person. It is an act that upsets or alarms our society’s morals. There are significant, but hidden, differences between standard negligence and gross negligence. For example, if a driver is texting and subsequently rear-ends another vehicle at a stop sign, this is considered standard negligence. Whereas, if a person is speeding in an attempt to race other vehicles on the road, subsequently causing an accident that harms another driver and their passengers, this can be considered gross negligence.

Additional Examples of Gross Negligence:

• Hit and Run Cases
• Assault and/or Battery
• Sex Crimes
• Doctor Amputating/Removing Incorrect Limb or Organ
• Surgeon Leaving Foreign Object Inside Patient (i.e. bandages, thread, etc.)
• Permitting an Underage Driver to Operate a Vehicle
• Unsupervised Infants/Toddlers
• Wrongful Death Cases
• And More

Personal injury, as well as, property damage are common consequences of gross negligent behaviors. Since gross negligence is a blatant disregard for the law, or for personal responsibility to practice due care, it is common for punitive damages to be awarded to victims of such negligence, in addition to compensation for their losses and injuries. Contact a personal injury law firm if you or a loved one was recently injured by the negligent behaviors of another person or entity. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers with extensive trial and litigation experience. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today.