What type of negligence occurs when a defendant fails to meet a specific statute?

Statutory negligence arises when a person fails to comply with a specific statute or regulation that is designed to protect a particular group from harm. In the context of negligence law, this failure can lead to a presumption of negligence because the law establishes a standard of care that must be adhered to. When the defendant violates this statutory duty, the injured party may argue that the breach directly resulted in their harm.

This concept is significant because it emphasizes the importance of adhering to established laws meant to enhance safety and protect individuals. For instance, if a statute requires proper safety measures at a construction site, and a contractor neglects these requirements, leading to an injury, that contractor can be deemed statutorily negligent.

Understanding the role of statutory negligence is crucial in determining liability, especially in cases where the breach of duty is clear due to noncompliance with specific legal standards. This differs from other types of negligence that do not rely specifically on statutory violations, focusing instead on general standards of care or comparative fault principles.