A "breach of duty" occurs when an individual or organization fails to meet the standard of care expected in a particular situation. This standard is often defined by laws, regulations, or professional guidelines. For example, a doctor is expected to provide a certain level of medical care; if they neglect to do so, it may be considered a breach of duty.
In legal terms, a breach of duty can lead to liability if it results in harm to another person. For instance, if a driver ignores traffic signals and causes an accident, they may be held responsible for breaching their duty to drive safely.