Meaning & Definition of word "Malpractice"

Malpractice

/mælˈpræk.tɪs/

1. Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical practitioner.
- Example: The doctor was sued for malpractice after misdiagnosing the patient's condition.
2. Failure of a professional person to render proper services through reprehensible ignorance or negligence.
- Example: The attorney's malpractice resulted in the loss of a crucial case for his client.
3. Any instance of unethical or incompetent conduct by anyone in a professional capacity.
- Example: Investigations revealed widespread malpractice among the firm's consultants.
4. Conduct that results in injury or harm to a patient or client due to negligence or breach of duty.
- Example: She has been a victim of malpractice and is seeking compensation for her suffering.

Derived from 'mal-' meaning bad, and 'practice' referring to the acts or conduct of a profession.

medical malpractice:

Negligence by a healthcare professional in treating a patient.

malpractice insurance:

Insurance that protects professionals from claims of malpractice.

legal malpractice:

Misconduct or negligence by a lawyer.

negligence:

Failure to take proper care in doing something, leading to damage or injury.

lawyer:

A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or counselor.

physician:

A person qualified to practice medicine; a doctor.

Meaning: bad practice

Example Sentence: That was a real case of bad practice in the way they handled patient records.

Meaning: shady practice

Example Sentence: The company's shady practice led to multiple lawsuits.