Which of the following describes negligent actions by professionals that lead to damages or losses?

• A. Negligence
• B. Malpractice
• C. Misconduct
• D. Professional liability

Answer: (B)

Malpractice specifically refers to the negligence or failure to perform a professional duty by someone in a specialized profession, which often leads to harm or loss for a client or patient. This term is commonly used in contexts such as medicine, law, and accounting, where professionals have a duty to adhere to established standards of care. If a professional fails to act as a reasonably competent professional would in similar circumstances and this failure results in damage or loss, it constitutes malpractice.

While negligence is a broader concept that can apply to anyone, malpractice narrows the focus to professionals in their specialized fields. Professional liability is a related term that refers to the legal exposure that professionals face relating to their work, especially in cases of malpractice, but it does not specifically describe the negligent actions themselves. Misconduct typically implies unethical or improper behavior, which may not always involve the standard of care concept central to malpractice. Thus, the choice of malpractice accurately captures the specific nature of negligent actions by professionals that result in damages or losses.