What are the elements of a professional negligence claim?

In Arizona, a professional negligence claim requires the plaintiff (the person filing the complaint) to prove four elements: duty, breach of duty, proximate cause, and damages. Duty is the obligation of a professional to use the accepted standard of care, skill, and diligence when providing services. This duty extends to all individuals in a particular profession. Breach of duty is the failure of a professional to meet that accepted standard of care, skill, and diligence. Proximate cause refers to the relationship between the breach of duty and the damages suffered by the plaintiff. In this case, the plaintiff would have to demonstrate that the failure of the professional to meet the accepted standard of care caused their damages. Damages are the harm suffered by the plaintiff due to the breach of duty. This could include physical or emotional harm, financial loss, or reputational damage. It should be noted that the plaintiff has to be able to adequately demonstrate all four elements to make a successful professional negligence claim. If any of the elements are not established, the case could be dismissed.

Related FAQs

What are the elements of a professional negligence claim?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts