What does negligence theory of liability involve?

Negligence theory of liability primarily focuses on the behavior of individuals or entities that fail to exercise a reasonable standard of care, leading to harm or injury to others. In legal contexts, this theory assesses whether a person's actions—or lack of appropriate actions—were negligent by determining if they breached a duty owed to another party, resulting in damages.

The concept of negligence requires showing that the defendant had a duty to uphold reasonable safety standards, that they breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused injury or damage. This framework is fundamental in tort law as it guides the adjudication of personal injury claims and various civil cases where defendants are held responsible based on their actions or inactions.

The other choices, while relevant to various areas of law, do not encapsulate the essence of negligence theory as effectively as the correct answer. For example, government agencies' actions may involve liability but don’t specifically target negligence. Likewise, strict liability principles are designed for cases that do not require proof of negligence, and defining criminal acts in tort law refers to different aspects of legal definitions, which do not directly relate to negligence.