What is the term for the failure to provide care that is normally expected, resulting in injury?

The term that describes the failure to provide care that is normally expected, resulting in injury, is negligence. Negligence occurs when a healthcare professional or provider fails to act as a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, leading to harm or injury to a patient. This concept is foundational in healthcare law and ethics, as it holds providers accountable for maintaining a standard of care.

In the context of healthcare, negligence can arise from a variety of actions or inactions, such as not following established protocols, failing to monitor a patient's condition, or providing inadequate treatment. It is essential for healthcare providers to adhere to a standard of care to prevent injury and ensure patient safety.

While malpractice is related and often involves negligence, it specifically refers to professional misconduct or failure in duty by a healthcare provider that results in patient harm. Abandonment refers to terminating care without proper notice or transfer to another provider, and assault involves intentionally causing apprehension or harm to another person, which is distinct from the unintentional act of negligence.