What is the difference between a medical malpractice claim and a breach of contract claim?

Medical malpractice and breach of contract claims are two distinct types of legal claims with different requirements that must be met in order for a claim to be successful. Medical malpractice claims involve allegations of negligence on the part of a healthcare provider that resulted in harm or injury to the patient. To prevail in a medical malpractice claim, the patient must show that the healthcare provider did not uphold the accepted medical standard of care and that this breach resulted in harm to the patient. Additionally, a medical malpractice claim must also show that the patient suffered some type of damages such as missed wages, pain and suffering, or medical expenses as a result of the provider’s negligence. On the other hand, a breach of contract claim is focused on a dispute between two parties over a contractual agreement. To bring a successful breach of contract claim, the plaintiff must show that a valid contract existed between the two parties, that one of the parties breached the contract, and that a breach resulted in some type of monetary damages or harm. In summary, medical malpractice and breach of contract claims are two separate types of legal claims that have different requirements to prove the claim’s validity. In Washington, medical malpractice claims must show that a healthcare provider did not adhere to the accepted medical standard of care and that this breach resulted in injury or harm to the patient. Breach of contract claims, on the other hand, must prove that a valid agreement existed between the two parties, that one of the parties breached the contract, and that a breach resulted in some type of financial or physical harm.

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