negligence

negligence

 [neg´lĭ-jens]

in law, the failure to do something that a reasonable person of ordinary prudence would do in a certain situation or the doing of something that such a person would not do. Negligence may provide the basis for a lawsuit when there is a legal duty, as the duty of a physician or nurse to provide reasonable care to patients and when the negligence results in damage to the patient.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

negligence

Medical malpractice The failure or alleged failure on the part of a physician or other health care provider to exercise ordinary, reasonable, usual, or expected care, prudence, or skill–that would usually and customarily be exercised by other reputable physicians treating similar Pts–in performing a legally recognized duty, resulting in forseeable harm, injury or loss to another; negligence may be an act of omission–ie, unintentional, or commission–ie, intentional, characterized by inattention, recklessness, inadvertence, thoughtlessness, or wantonness. See Adverse event, Comparative negligence, Contributory negligence, Gross negligence, Malpractice, Wanton negligence, Willful negligence. Cf Recklessness.

Negligence, required elements  

Duty A recognized relationship between Pt and physician

Breach Failure of a medical practitioner to practice in accordance with standard of care

Proximate cause The plaintiff must show that injury is reasonably connected to physician's action

Damages Plaintiff must show that alleged loss or damage has a quantifiable value such that a monetary payment can be made APLM 1997; 121:252

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

neg·li·gence

(neg'li-jĕns)

Failure to perform duties or activities with due diligence and attention or to meet the standards of regular care.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

neg·li·gence

(neg'li-jĕns)

Failure to perform duties or activities with due diligence and attention or to meet the standards of regular care.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012