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Encyclopedia entry

Civil Code 1714 (General Duty of Care / Negligence)

California's foundational negligence statute establishing that everyone is responsible for injury caused by their want of ordinary care.

Civil Code section 1714 is a short but foundational statute providing that everyone is responsible not only for the results of willful acts but also for injury occasioned to another by their want of ordinary care or skill in the management of their property or person. It underlies the entire body of California negligence law, including premises liability claims against property owners and their security contractors.

This statute is the doctrinal starting point whenever a Sacramento apartment resident, retail customer, or visitor is injured and later claims the property owner or its security provider failed to exercise reasonable care — for example, failing to patrol a known problem area, failing to repair broken lighting, or failing to respond to a reported hazard. Plaintiffs' attorneys frequently cite section 1714 alongside more specific premises-liability case law.

For a security company, the practical takeaway is that post orders, patrol logs, and documented follow-up on reported hazards or incidents are evidence of 'ordinary care,' while gaps in documentation or ignored reports can support a negligence claim. Officers should treat consistent, honest recordkeeping as a core duty, not paperwork for its own sake.

Negligence law develops primarily through case law interpreting this statute; verify current interpretations and consult counsel for any specific liability question.

Related entries

Premises Liability and the Foreseeability DoctrineThe legal doctrine holding property owners liable for third-party crime on their property when the risk of such crime was reasonably foreseeable.Negligent Security LitigationCivil claims alleging a property owner or its security provider failed to take reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable harm to a visitor or tenant.Respondeat Superior (Employer Liability for Employee Conduct)The legal doctrine holding an employer liable for an employee's wrongful acts committed within the scope of employment.Incident ReportThe written record an officer creates documenting an observed event, action taken, and follow-up needed.

Official sources

  1. [1]Cal. Civil Code § 1714California Legislative Information

Links point to the publishing agency or the California Legislative Information text. Government pages are reorganized periodically — if a link moves, search the code section or agency name at the official site.

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General industry and regulatory usage — not legal advice, and not an endorsement by BSIS, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or any law-enforcement agency. Statutes, regulations, and local ordinances change; verify current text at the official government source or with your attorney.

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