Malpractice
Professional negligence — the failure of a professional (doctor, lawyer, accountant) to meet the standard of care, resulting in harm to the client or patient.
Encyclopedia entry: Malpractice
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malpractice
Malpractice, or professional negligence , is a tort committed when a professional breaches their duty to a client. The duty of a professional to a client is generally defined as the duty to follow generally accepted professional standards. Of course, the other elements of a negligence tort (duty , breach , proximate cause , actual cause and damages ) must also be shown. Malpractice suits are most common against doctors and lawyers .
[Last reviewed in July of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team
]
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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.