Explanation

Medical malpractice is a civil claim based on negligence that requires the plaintiff to prove four elements: (1) Duty — a provider-patient relationship existed, establishing a duty of care; (2) Breach of Duty — the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care for their specialty; (3) Causation — the breach of duty was the direct (proximate) cause of the patient's injury; and (4) Damages — the patient suffered actual, quantifiable harm as a result. All four elements must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. If any element is missing — for example, if there was a breach but no resulting damages — the malpractice claim fails. Understanding these elements helps PMHNPs appreciate why thorough documentation, adherence to standards of care, and informed consent are critical protective measures.

Key Takeaway

Malpractice requires duty, breach, causation, and damages — all four elements.