In tort claims, which statement best describes 'duty'?

• A. The standard of care the defendant owed the plaintiff
• B. The actual harm caused
• C. The breach of the standard
• D. The chain of causation

Answer: (A)

Duty in tort claims is the obligation to exercise reasonable care toward others, defining the level of conduct the defendant owed the plaintiff. It sets the standard of care the defendant owed, so this concept captures the legal duty that can give rise to liability when breached. The other elements describe what happens after that duty: the actual harm is the injuries suffered (damages), the breach is failing to meet the standard of care, and the chain of causation shows the link between that breach and the harm. For example, a driver must operate a vehicle with reasonable care; if they run a red light, that breach can cause an accident and injuries, illustrating how duty, breach, causation, and damages fit together.