Willful negligence

Though rejected by some couris and writers as involving a contradiction of terms, this phrase is occasionally used to describe a higher or more aggravated form of negligence than "gross." It then means a willful determination not to perform a known duty, or a reckless disregard of the safety or the rights of others, as manifested by the conscious and intentional omission of the care proper under the circumstances.

See Victor Co.ai Co. v. Muir, 20 Colo. 320, 38 Pac. 378, 26 In R. A. 435, 46 Am. St. Rep. 299 ; Holwerson v. Railway Co.., 157 Mo. 216, 57 S. W. 770, 50 L. R. A. 850; Lockwood v. Rnilway Co.., 92 Wis. 97, 65 N. W. 866; Kentucky Cant. R. Co., v. Carr '(Ky.) 43 S. W. 193, 19 Ky. Law Rep-1172; Florida Southern Ry. v. Hirst, 30 Fla-1, 11 South. 506, 16 L. R. A. 631, 32 Am. St. Rep. 17; Lexington v. Lewis, 10 Bush (Ely.) 680; Illinois Cant. R. Co., v. Leiner, 202 III. 624, 67 N. E. 398. 95 Am. St. Rep. 266.