Ordinary negligence involves the failure to use a level of care and caution that leads to another person’s injury. If a store owner forgets to put up a “Wet Floors” sign after maintenance has cleaned them and a customer slips and falls, that is ordinary negligence. In this case, the store owner did not intend to cause another person harm. They still are legally responsible for any injuries. 

Gross negligence is the exact opposite. It is the deliberate and reckless disregard for the safety or reasonable treatment of others. Let’s take the example of a driver speeding through a residential area with heavy pedestrian traffic. They know they are exceeding the posted speed limit under conditions that make it likely they could injure a child or adult but continue to do so anyway. If they strike a pedestrian and cause serious injury, that is gross negligence.