All of us understand that deliberately causing injury to others is a criminal offence ordinarily resulting in punishment of the perpetrator.
All of us understand that some injuries are accidental, i.e. the circumstances giving rise to them are wholly unforeseeable. No one is responsible. No compensation is payable.
In between those two ends of the spectrum are `negligent acts’ i.e., they are not deliberate, but the injury is foreseeable. The negligent person will not be punished, however the injured party may seek financial compensation as a result. The compensation is paid by the individual who has caused the loss.
Duty of care requires everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to be done to protect the public welfare.
