Malpractice

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In the

professional negligence, is an "instance of negligence or incompetence on the part of a professional".[1]

Professionals who may become the subject of malpractice actions include:

  • medical professionals: a medical malpractice claim may be brought against a doctor or other healthcare provider who fails to exercise the degree of care and skill that a similarly situated professional of the same medical specialty would provide under the circumstances.[2]
  • lawyers: a legal malpractice claim may be brought against a lawyer who fails to render services with the level of skill, care, and diligence that a reasonable lawyer would apply under similar circumstances.[1]
  • financial professionals: professionals such as accountants, financial planners, and stockbrokers may be subject to claims for professional negligence based upon their failure to meet professional standards when providing services to their clients.
  • architects and engineers: a construction professional may be accused of professional negligence for failing to meet professional standards in the design and construction of buildings and structures.

Proof of malpractice

Professional negligence actions require a professional relationship between the professional and the person claiming to have been injured by malpractice.[3] For example, to sue a lawyer for malpractice the person bringing the claim must have had an attorney-client relationship with the lawyer.[4]

To succeed in a malpractice action under typical malpractice law, the person making a malpractice claim must prove that the professional committed an act of culpable negligence and that the person suffered an injury due to the professional's error.[5]

Medical malpractice

Medical malpractice is a highly complex area of law, with laws that differ significantly between jurisdictions.[6]

In Australia, medical malpractice and the rise in claims against individual and institutional providers have led to the evolution of

patient advocates.[7]

References

  1. ^ . Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Malpractice". Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. . Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  4. ^ Bresnahan, Pamela A. (September 1999). "Beware the Cocktail Party Client" (PDF). American Bar Association. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. PMID 19034593
    .
  6. ^ Marcus, Paul (1981). "Book Review of Medical Malpractice Law: A Comparative Law Study of Civil Responsibility Arising from Medical Care". Hastings International and Comparative Law Review: 235–243. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  7. ^ Kamaker, Dorothy (September 26, 2015). "Patient advocacy services ensure optimum health outcomes". smh.com.au. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 23, 2016.