In a case of negligence, which of the following is NOT one of the four essential elements that must be proven?

In a negligence case, the four essential elements that must typically be proven include the existence of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, actual injury or damage, and a causal connection between the breach and the injury. The necessity of proving these elements helps to establish whether negligence occurred.

The duty of care refers to the legal obligation that one party has towards another to act with a reasonable standard of care. A breach of duty occurs when that obligation is not met, either through action or inaction. The injury element requires that the plaintiff has suffered actual harm or damages as a result of the breach.

However, intent to harm is not a requirement in negligence cases. Unlike intentional torts, where intent is crucial, negligence is concerned with carelessness or failure to act as a reasonable person would, rather than with the intent behind the act. Therefore, proving intent to harm is unnecessary when establishing a case of negligence, making it the correct answer in this context.