What is the difference between a medical malpractice claim and a professional malpractice claim?

Medical malpractice and professional malpractice claims are similarly structured, but differ in their scope. Medical malpractice claims are focused on the body of medical experts, while professional malpractice claims are broader and can refer to any profession. Medical malpractice is a form of negligence that is based on a professional duty between a physician and a patient. Medical malpractice claims arise when a patient is injured by a medical professional’s failure to provide a reasonable standard of care. Washington requires a plaintiff to prove a medical professional breached the standard of care owed to the patient, and that this breach resulted in injury to the patient. Professional malpractice claims, on the other hand, are based on other types of professional conduct, such as legal, accounting and counseling. Claims of professional malpractice arise from a professional’s failure to provide services and advice with the expected level of care and skill that should be exercised by similarly qualified professionals in the same field. In Washington, for a professional malpractice claim to be established, the plaintiff must show that the professional had a duty of care to the plaintiff, that the professional breached that duty of care, and that the breach caused damage to the plaintiff. In summary, the difference between a medical malpractice claim and a professional malpractice claim is that medical malpractice claims are focused on the body of medical experts, while professional malpractice claims are broader and can refer to any profession.

What is the difference between a medical malpractice claim and a professional malpractice claim?

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