what is...

MALPRACTICE An abrogation of a duty owed by a health care provider to the patient; the failure to exercise the degree of care used by reasonably careful practitioners of like qualifications in the same or similar circumstances. For a plaintiff to collect damages in a court of law, the plaintiff's attorney must show that the provider owed the patient a duty and that the provider's violation of the standards of practice caused the patient's injury. ALSO SEE: PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

The information provided herein is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues commonly encountered.