Gross Negligence Definition: An action or an omission in reckless disregard of the consequences to the safety or property of another. Related Terms: Criminal Negligence, Culpa Lata Unrestrained disregard of consequences; where ordinary care is not taken in circumstances where, as a result, injury or grave damage is likely. Sometimes referred to as "very great negligence" and it is more then just neglect of ordinary care towards others or just inadvertence. Also known as the Latin term culpa lata. The facts required to make out a case for gross negligence may also lend themselves to the offence of criminal negligence which, by definition, is very similar to gross negligence. REFERENCES: Duhaime, Lloyd, Tort & Personal Injury Law Categories & Topics: Tort and Personal Injury Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!