Which of the following is NOT one of the four elements of a negligent act?

The correct answer is that the defendant entered into a legal contract with the plaintiff is not one of the four elements of a negligent act. In a negligence claim, the focus is primarily on the actions or conduct of the defendant, not on whether a legal contract exists between the parties.

The four elements generally considered essential for establishing negligence are duty, breach, causation, and damages. Duty refers to the legal obligation the defendant has to act with a certain standard of care towards others. Breach occurs when the defendant fails to meet this standard. Causation links the breach of duty to the harm suffered by the plaintiff, and damages signify that the plaintiff has incurred a loss. Hence, the presence of a legal contract does not affect these elements but addresses a different area of law, such as contract law.