What is meant by "malpractice"?

Malpractice refers specifically to professional negligence whereby a professional, such as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, fails to perform their duties to the standard of care that is expected in their field, resulting in harm to a client or patient. This term underscores the responsibility that professionals have to provide competent and ethical service, and when they deviate from this standard, and it leads to negative outcomes, they can be held liable for malpractice. Thus, the essence of malpractice lies in the failure to meet the requisite level of care, which directly results in damage or injury, distinguishing it from general conduct concerns or ethical violations that do not necessarily cause harm. In contrast, the other options address different aspects of legal or professional conduct that do not specifically reflect the concept of malpractice as it is understood in a legal context.