What is Aaron guilty of when he fails to comply with minimum duties to clients?

When Aaron fails to comply with minimum duties to clients, he is guilty of gross negligence. This term refers to a significant disregard for the safety and welfare of others, displaying a high degree of negligence that goes beyond mere oversight or carelessness. In the context of real estate and client relationships, gross negligence would involve a failure to perform the basic obligations expected from a competent professional.

This can include actions such as not providing the necessary disclosures, failing to communicate important information, or acting with a blatant disregard for the standards of care expected in a real estate transaction. Because these failures can lead to severe consequences for clients, such as financial loss or legal issues, the behavior is classified as gross negligence rather than simple or slight negligence, which would involve less severe lapses in duty. Criminal negligence, while serious, typically involves a disregard for the safety of others that leads to harm or potential harm, but in this context, the focus is specifically on the professional duties owed to clients in real estate.