Explain Medical Negligence.

Medical negligence refers to the failure of a healthcare provider to meet the standard of care expected in their profession, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. It occurs when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, deviates from the accepted norms or standards of practice, leading to adverse consequences for the patient. Medical negligence can take various forms, including:

1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failure to accurately diagnose a medical condition or delayed diagnosis, which can result in incorrect treatment or progression of the disease.

2. Surgical Errors: Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing unnecessary procedures.

3. Medication Errors: Administering incorrect medication, wrong dosage, or adverse drug interactions that harm the patient.

4. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Performing a medical procedure without obtaining proper informed consent from the patient or their guardian.

5. Neglecting Patient Safety: Ignoring patient safety protocols, hygiene standards, or infection control measures that contribute to patient harm.

Victims of medical negligence may suffer physical, emotional, and financial consequences, requiring further medical treatment, rehabilitation, or corrective procedures. Legal recourse for medical negligence often involves seeking compensation for damages through medical malpractice lawsuits. To establish medical negligence, it must be proven that the healthcare provider breached their duty of care, causing harm that would not have occurred under normal circumstances.