Under what circumstances can the breach of duty be excused?

The correct response highlights that a breach of duty can be excused when the defendant acted with reasonable care. This principle is rooted in the concept of negligence, where an individual is expected to exercise a certain level of care in their actions. If it can be demonstrated that the defendant took all appropriate steps to prevent harm and acted as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances, their breach may not be considered negligent. This standard aims to balance accountability with the understanding that not every unintended harm constitutes negligence, especially when due diligence has been shown.

In this context, the other options do not provide valid justifications for excusing a breach of duty. For instance, having no personal stake does not address whether the defendant acted reasonably or took necessary precautions. Additionally, minor harm does not negate the responsibility if reasonable care was not taken, nor does the absence of clear laws mean that an individual acted responsibly. Reasonable care is the cornerstone of determining liability in negligence cases.