What are the four components required to establish a malpractice claim?

To establish a malpractice claim, four critical components must be demonstrated: the existence of a duty, a breach of that duty, harm suffered by the patient, and a direct causal link between the breach and the harm.

First, the "duty" refers to the obligation that healthcare professionals have to provide care that meets the established standard of practice in their profession. This duty is fundamental because it establishes the relationship between the practitioner and the patient.

Second, a "breach" occurs when the healthcare provider fails to uphold that duty, meaning they did not meet the expected standard of care. This breach is what makes the malpractice claim viable, as it shows that the provider acted in a way that is considered negligent.

Third, the claim requires evidence that the patient was actually "harmed" as a result of the breach. This harm could be physical, emotional, or financial and is crucial for substantiating the malpractice claim.

Finally, it must be shown that the breach directly "caused" the harm to the patient. This causal connection is essential because proving that the harm would not have occurred if the duty had been properly fulfilled fortifies the malpractice claim.

Thus, this answer outlines the necessary legal elements required in medical malpractice cases, clarifying