Which of the following is NOT a criterion used to determine negligence?

• A. Broken standard of care
• B. Causation
• C. Damages
• D. Medical bill amount

Answer: (D)

Negligence is proven by four elements: a duty owed, a breach of that duty, causation linking the breach to the injury, and damages resulting from the injury. The amount of medical bills falls under damages—the harm that flowed from the incident and a measure used to calculate compensation. It does not determine whether negligence occurred. In other words, you need to show that the standard of care was breached and that breach caused harm; the medical bill amount is evidence of damages, not a criterion for proving negligence itself. The other factors—breach of the standard of care, and causation—are the actual criteria used to establish negligence, while damages establish the basis for compensation.