What is the standard for proving negligence in Illinois?

In Illinois, the standard for proving negligence requires the plaintiff to establish three specific elements: that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, that the defendant breached that duty, and that this breach directly resulted in damages to the plaintiff.

This framework aligns with the fundamental principles of negligence law, which rests on the idea that individuals have an obligation to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others. If any of these elements are not satisfactorily proven, the claim for negligence may fail.

While the first choice suggests that the defendant must demonstrate reasonableness, that concept is more relevant in determining the standard of care rather than establishing negligence itself. The intention behind the plaintiff's need to prove duty, breach, and causation is to hold defendants accountable for their actions when they fail to meet this standard of care. The other options relate to different aspects of legal liability; for instance, intentional actions do not fall under negligence, and contributory negligence addresses a defense rather than a foundational requirement for proving negligence.

Thus, the correct choice captures the essential components of a negligence claim in Illinois, reflecting the legal standard that plaintiffs are required to satisfy.