Legal Terms Chapter 4

Civil Law vs. Criminal Law Focus on legal relationships Protection of a person’s rights Criminal Law Wrongs against a person, property, or society Act is a misdemeanor or felony

Malpractice Failure of a professional to use the degree of skilled learned Results in injury, loss / damage to the person Ex = failure to administer a tetanus shot

Negligence Failure to give care that is expected Ex = Pt. falls out of bed because side rails are left down

Assault / Battery Assault Battery Threat or attempt to injure Unlawful touching of another person without consent (usually violent)

Invasion of Privacy Releasing personal information about a pt. without consent Unnecessarily exposing a person

False Imprisonment Restraining an individual (with no justification) Restricting an individual’s freedom

Abuse Any care that results in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish 4 Types Physical Verbal Psychological (Mental) Sexual

Defamation False statements that damage a person’s reputation 2 Types Slander (Spoken) Libel (Written)