Malpractice

Malpractice refers to unethical, improper, or negligent conduct by a professional while performing their duties, either intentionally or due to ignorance or carelessness. It involves a failure to meet the accepted standards of professional competence or ethics, resulting in harm or loss to a client, patient, or stakeholder.

Key Points: Commonly associated with lawyers, accountants, auditors, doctors, and tax practitioners. May arise from gross negligence, misrepresentation, lack of due diligence, or violation of professional standards. Can lead to legal liability, disciplinary action, or loss of professional license.

Example: If an accountant knowingly falsifies financial statements or a tax consultant files incorrect returns due to carelessness, such conduct constitutes professional malpractice.