Which action would likely constitute negligence?

Negligence is typically defined as a breach of a duty of care that results in harm to another person. This means that if an individual fails to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in the same situation and that failure leads to injury or damages, it can be classified as negligence.

In this context, failing to act with reasonable care fits directly into the definition of negligence because it indicates a lack of the expected standard of conduct that safeguards others from foreseeable harm. When someone does not take the necessary precautions or does not conduct themselves in a manner that a reasonable person would in a similar situation, they can be held liable for any resultant harm.

The other options do not align with the concept of negligence. Intentionally causing harm relates to intentional torts, which involve deliberate actions rather than a failure to meet a standard of care. Acting in self-defense does not typically constitute negligence, as it is an action taken to protect oneself from immediate harm. Making a false statement, while potentially actionable under other legal principles such as defamation, does not involve a breach of the duty of care that negligence requires. Therefore, the only action that constitutes negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care.