Which statement best defines negligence in the context of contractor duties?

Which statement best defines negligence in the context of contractor duties?

• A. A breach of contract by a third party
• B. An allergic reaction to paint
• C. An employer is liable for employees
• D. A contractor fails to fulfill all duties or fails to exercise the standard of care

Answer: (D)

Negligence means not doing what a contractor is supposed to do or not meeting the standard of care required for the work. In the lead-safe context, that means failing to follow required lead-safe practices, or not taking reasonable steps to prevent exposing occupants or workers to lead dust. When such a failure occurs and creates risk or harm, it reflects negligence. That idea is captured by the description of a contractor who fails to fulfill all duties or fails to exercise the standard of care. The other statements describe different concepts: a breach of contract by a third party is a contract-law issue, not a definition of negligence; an allergic reaction to paint is a potential health outcome, not the act of failing to provide proper care; and employer liability for employees concerns liability rules rather than what constitutes negligence itself.

Negligence means not doing what a contractor is supposed to do or not meeting the standard of care required for the work. In the lead-safe context, that means failing to follow required lead-safe practices, or not taking reasonable steps to prevent exposing occupants or workers to lead dust. When such a failure occurs and creates risk or harm, it reflects negligence.

That idea is captured by the description of a contractor who fails to fulfill all duties or fails to exercise the standard of care. The other statements describe different concepts: a breach of contract by a third party is a contract-law issue, not a definition of negligence; an allergic reaction to paint is a potential health outcome, not the act of failing to provide proper care; and employer liability for employees concerns liability rules rather than what constitutes negligence itself.