What must the claimant prove in a negligence case?

In a negligence case, the claimant must prove that a duty of care was owed to them, that this duty was breached, and that the breach caused the damages they suffered. This framework is fundamental to establishing liability in negligence and is often referred to as the 'negligence triad'.

First, the claimant must demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty of care, which typically arises when the defendant's conduct could reasonably foreseeably cause harm to others. Next, the claimant must show that this duty was breached, meaning that the defendant failed to act in accordance with the standard of care expected in that situation. Finally, causation must be established, linking the breach of duty directly to the damages incurred by the claimant. This requires showing that the harm suffered would not have occurred but for the defendant's negligence.

The alternative choices do not encapsulate the comprehensive elements required to prove negligence. While foreseeability of potential damages and the involvement of third parties are relevant in specific cases, they do not replace the necessity of establishing duty, breach, and causation. Similarly, the assertion that no damages occurred contradicts the basic premise of a negligence claim, where the claimant must show actual harm resulting from the negligent act. Thus, option C accurately identifies the