Legal Definitions - malpractice

Definition: Malpractice is when a professional fails to do their job properly and causes harm to their client. This can happen when the professional doesn't follow the accepted standards of their profession. To prove malpractice, it must be shown that the professional breached their duty, caused harm, and that the harm was a direct result of their actions.

Examples of malpractice include:

• A doctor misdiagnosing a patient's illness, leading to incorrect treatment and harm to the patient.
• A lawyer mishandling a client's case, resulting in a loss of the case and financial harm to the client.

These examples illustrate how malpractice can occur in different professions. In both cases, the professional failed to meet the accepted standards of their profession, causing harm to their client. Malpractice can have serious consequences for both the professional and the client, and it's important for professionals to take their duties seriously and follow the standards of their profession.