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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