1 Serious attention, concern, interest, or regard. 2 In negligence law, the level of caution and prudence demanded in the conduct of a person in a given situation. The appropriate level is determined by measuring the potential dangers in the particular situation, the risk that the person's actions might bring the risk to fruition, and the possible ways of minimizing or eliminating the risk. In some situations, the level of care owed is determined by statute. See also reasonable man,malpractic...