Negligence
A person or company is negligent when he/she fails to act like the standard Ordinary, Reasonable Person. Just how an "ordinary, reasonable person" is expected to act in a particular situation can be a gray area of the law. The determination of whether a person has met his/her standard is often resolved by a jury after presentation of evidence and argument at trial.
People and companies can commit negligent acts in a variety of ways. You should consult with an attorney to find out if you have been the victim of negligent acts.