What does duty of care mean?

A duty of care can apply to many different professions. Generally speaking, it is the legal obligation for professionals and those in positions of care or authority, to adhere to an outlined standard of care where someone could possibly be harmed.

For example, medical professionals have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their patients. But employers also have a duty of care to provide safe work environments for their employees. A duty of care can be applicable to various scenarios.