In civil actions against healthcare providers, what is the second typical reason for a claim, alongside lack of informed consent?

In civil actions against healthcare providers, a common basis for claims is violation of the standard of care. This principle is central to medical malpractice claims, as it establishes that healthcare providers are expected to adhere to specific standards during patient care. The standard of care refers to the level of competence and diligence that a reasonably skilled healthcare practitioner would provide under similar circumstances. If a provider does not meet this expectation, leading to patient harm, it can ground a legal claim for negligence.

Violations of standard care can encompass a variety of failures, including errors in diagnosis, treatment practices that deviate from established protocols, or neglecting to perform necessary procedures. When patients are harmed due to such lapses, they have the right to seek redress in civil court, making this a significant aspect of medical malpractice cases.