Negligence:
– a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.The area of tort law known as negligence involves harm caused by carelessness, not intentional harm.
Medical professionals are required to meet the “standard of care.” This standard is set by the court, not by the professional, and represents the standard practices of a reasonably competent individual. If these standards are not met, and injury to the patient or death occurs, the patient’s suffering is attributed to negligence on the part of the practitioner.