What does negligence refer to in the context of workers' compensation?

Negligence, in the context of workers' compensation, refers to the failure to act with ordinary care. This encompasses a broad range of actions or inactions that do not meet the standard of care expected in a workplace setting. When an employer or employee does not exercise reasonable caution or diligence, it can lead to accidents or injuries.

In workers' compensation cases, proving negligence may impact the injured worker's ability to receive benefits. This is because the workers' compensation system often does not require proving negligence to secure benefits, but understanding negligence helps in evaluating the responsibilities of parties involved in work-related injuries. Thus, defining negligence as the lack of ordinary care encapsulates a fundamental principle that can lead to workplace injuries, holding employers accountable for maintaining safe working conditions.

While other options touch on various safety concerns in the workplace, including intentional harm, equipment safety, and adequate training, they are specific instances that could result from negligence but do not encompass its complete definition. Negligence is about the broader duty of care rather than specific failures in operations or actions.